Inter Captain Javier Zanetti was given a warm welcome by supporters upon his arrival in Malta this afternoon for a short visit.

He is here on the invitation of Inter Club Malta.

A crowd of about 100 greeted him at the airport arrivals lounge, and 300 have booked a place at a social activity to be held by the club this evening.

Zanetti said it was always a pleasure to return to a country where his team and himself had enjoy themselves when they visited. 

He said he was now here with his family and he looked forward to spending time with Inter fans.

His arrival came the day after Inter suffered their first Serie A defeat, going down 3-0 to Roma. Asked about his reaction, Zanetti, who is recovering tom an Achilles tendon injury, said this was a disappointing result but Inter had faced an in-form Roma team.

"We are aware we have to continue working hard to maintain the positive work we have done so far so that we see where that takes us by the end of the season. This was our first defeat but our performances so far have been good," he said. 

During his visit Zanetti will collect funds for his Pupi foundation to offer a better life to poor children in Argentina.