Inter fans in Malta are buzzing with enthusiasm after it was announced yesterday that club icon Javier Zanetti is visiting the country early next month.
The Argentine stalwart will be spending three days on our shores after accepting the invitation of the Inter Club Malta.
“Inter Club Malta has the pleasure to announce that between, Sunday, October 6 and Tuesday, October 8, it will be hosting the world-renowned footballer Javier Zanetti, captain of Internazionale FC,” Inter Club Malta said in a statement.
“Zanetti will be accompanied by his family and other Inter directors.”
Zanetti is the most decorated player in Inter’s history, eclipsing the achievements of other club greats like Giacinto Facchetti and Giuseppe Bergomi since signing for the Serie A giants in 1995.
Capped 145 times by Argentina, Zanetti tops Inter’s all-time appearances chart after playing more than 840 games for the Nerazzurri with whom he has won a host of honours, including five Serie A titles, Champions League and Club World Cup.
Last April, Zanetti suffered a serious Achilles injury but that setback failed to dampen his resolve to extend his playing career despite turning 40 last month.
Having secured a one-year contract extension with Inter in the summer, Zanetti is expected to return to action in November.
After signing his new deal with Inter, Zanetti told the club’s website: “We talked at length about the injury and we decided to do another year together.
“They have shown once again their belief in me and my passion for Inter.
“I hope I can repay them on the pitch for this gesture of affection and esteem.
“I am doing everything I can to come back fit and healthy, and to be ready for the coach and my team-mates.”
John Zammit, the long-serving president of Inter Club Malta, said they are honoured to be hosting a player of Zanetti’s stature in their 35th anniversary year.
“We had asked Zanetti to take part in the club’s 35th anniversary celebrations last month but at the time, he was in Argentina where he was still recovering from his injury,” Zammit told Times of Malta.
“He then joined the team’s pre-season tour in the United States but we had been promised that Zanetti will visit our club in the coming months.
“We have now received confirmation that Zanetti, together with his family, will come over when the Serie A championship stops for the international break early next month.”
The Inter Club Malta are planning to hold a number of activities during Zanetti’s stay with the principal aim being to collect money in aid of the PUPI Foundation.
Founded by Zanetti and his wife Paula, the Fundación PUPI is a non-profit Argentine organisation in favour of poor and disadvantaged children.
The main event, described by Inter Club Malta as “a large feast” for fans and the general public, will be held on October 6.
“We intend to organise a large feast in honour of Zanetti and the PUPI Foundation on Sunday, October 6,” Zammit said.
“We are also planning to hold an activity for our members at the clubhouse in Sta Venera on October 7.”
Zammit has been overwhelmed by the positive reaction to the news of Zanetti’s visit.
“The reaction has been incredible, some fans have actually called me because they couldn’t believe that Zanetti is visiting our club,” Zammit said.
“There’s also great enthusiasm among our fans in Gozo.”
The visit of a true Inter legend like Zanetti is something of a coup for the Inter Club Malta who, over the years, have established a very good relationship with the mother club.
“Bringing all the four cups (Champions League, Club World Cup, Serie A and Coppa Italia) won by Inter in season 2009/10 was a significant achievement for our club,” Zammit said.
“This event (Zanetti’s visit) will match and possibly exceed that feat because Zanetti is il capitano, an Inter legend.”