The ten most influential captains of the modern era: Javier Zanetti

Moreover, his work ethic speaks volumes ahead of him. What began as an appalling rejection at the hands of Independiente for being physically inferior due to his tiny frame, Zanetti worked hard to build his muscle, train his body and was supported by a growth spurt when he was 15. Add that to the pile of working three jobs as a teen and anyone could see why this man’s rise to success is undoubtedly inspiring.

Argentina, as a nation, has a low per capita income, which exists in the promiscuity of meagre earnings and insufficient living conditions. That was precisely how Zanetti started – delivering milk, selling groceries and laying bricks – much like many of the hustling teenagers in Latin America.

At the same time, his passion for football never died, and he began showcasing his talent on a pitch in a Buenos Aires suburb. While sent out to maintain the pitch to pocket extra cash for his family, Zanetti discovered his Midas touch as a defender that would soon send scouts flocking towards him.

After a stint of spells with Tallares and Banfield, the call of European Football came beckoning at Zanetti’s doorstep. In 1995, Inter Milan signed their future captain and the man who could well be deemed irreplaceable for a meager fee.

Today, his omnipresence for Inter Milan is irrefutably priceless. Signed for an undisclosed fee back then, Zanetti’s transfer could well be described as a bargain, in return for his undeviating performances on the pitch.

Being Massimo Morrati’s first purchase at the club, Inter Milan fans first saw a glimpse of this man’s skill against Vicenza in the campaign of 1995-96. What was earlier dubbed to be a struggle to find a place in the team lineup consisting of several superstars, Zanetti made it look easy and ascended into being played as a first choice full back.

In a team star studded with the likes of Ronaldo and Christian Vieri, both of whom were signed for world record transfer fees, Zanetti was still coveting the media’s attention for his noteworthy performances on the pitch. Many could ask how the man’s quiet personage usurped the attention received by more marketable personalities.

But that is the essence of Javier Zanetti’s arsenal – trustworthy, devoted and nonchalant charisma that seeks headlines for only the right reasons. His motive is to only place stones for those around him to follow – a quintessential attribute of every influential captain in Football.

The fans in due time took to him, proclaiming him to a status of a cult-hero. Inter Milan found itself a captain for the long run who became the lantern of faithfulness, undertake and arête. As a captain, his role will always best represent for his protracted stay at Inter – far longer than any player in club history has managed.

Another true testament of Zanetti’s career has been his ability to last an entire game without tiring out. Even today, the Inter Milan captain is seen running throughout the game, roughing it out with opponents with no signs of enervation.

Incredibly, that is how he earned regular call ups to Argentinean National Team and made himself a standstill as well, in his early years in club football. While the national and club sides found it a dearth to produce full backs of his calibre, Zanetti further capitalized on his mobility to flourish in any position by being played in different roles when needed.

The coaches counted on him to thwart attacks from various counters in the first third, while at the same time, depended upon him to be the link between defence and attack.