The former Inter captain on the tournament that awaits “his” Argentina: “People don’t want to win at all costs, they want to feel proud. I can see the trident well: Lauti with Messi and Julian Alvarez. I trust the bull, he can have a great World Cup”
He is packing his suitcase: destination Kansas City. To represent FIFA, which offered him a management role in the Social Responsibility sector, but also to cheer. Like in Qatar, when he entered the pitch to celebrate the World Cup won together with the whole family. Javier Zanetti, vice president of Inter, dreams of another unforgettable night in New York, on 19 July.
Is coming to America as world champions just an honor or also a responsibility?
“Both of those things. It’s an honor because the memory of Qatar hasn’t faded in four years and it’s a responsibility because the winners of a World Cup must always honor the title. But I would add a third word to the reasoning, the most important.”
“Opportunity. Argentina has the opportunity to enter football history by confirming itself as champion. From 1962 onwards (Brazil, ed.) no one has managed to do so. Let’s enjoy the hypothesis.”
Are you still the strongest?
“I don’t know. I certainly don’t see a superior national team, not even France who could field two teams without losing competitiveness. I also see Spain well, who not by chance won the European Championship, and then Portugal: we don’t talk about it but it shouldn’t be underestimated.”
At the end of the World Cup an Argentine will be happy if…
“If the team has remained in the race until the end. Our people don’t expect to always win: they want to feel proud.”
People don’t want to win at all costs, they want to feel proud. We want to live the dream of making history: we have to believe in it”
Messi recovered from his injury and scored from a penalty against Iceland. How are you?
“He’s very well, he’s ready. I heard him some time ago and he gave me the impression of understanding the importance of the moment. Even personal: at 39 years old he can play in his sixth World Cup without the pressure of 2022.”
It was said, it was heard, it was read: this Pulce is phenomenal, but in the national team he is never decisive.
“That’s exactly it. I know what he went through, because I’ve known him since he was a boy. He had to endure a lot of criticism and he closed the circle in Doha as an absolute protagonist. Now he will be relieved. But no less ambitious.”
I’m almost ashamed to ask: is Leo or Diego better? “I don’t like comparisons, especially if they concern great champions from different eras. They are two Argentine legends. And there is something magical in the 2022 victory. The fans were cheering Maradona: somehow Diego guided us from above.”
Was the happiness experienced as a fan in Doha or as a captain in Madrid more intense, for Inter’s treble?
“These are also incomparable situations. I can say that I am lucky because I experienced two incomparable emotions.”
In Qatar Diego guided us from above: it was magical. Messi is ready and wants to win again, maybe this time he will have a little less pressure
Lautaro, speaking of Argentinians he knows well, seems to be doing better than in Qatar.
“I’m sure of it. Unfortunately four years ago he was held back by ankle problems but I don’t forget that he kicked a very heavy penalty in the semi-final against the Netherlands. You can be useful in many ways.”
The Argentine press often asks coach Scaloni if it is possible to see Lautaro and Julian Alvarez together, taking Messi’s permanent presence for granted.
“For me it can be done. We need to think about the overall balance of the team but if the attackers sacrifice themselves anything is possible. Lauti and Julian are fighters, they fight for every ball. I really hope we can exploit all their quality: a trident like this is an interesting tactical alternative.”
Do you like the new 48-team format?
“A lot, because it also allows small nations to participate in the most prestigious tournament in the world. I’m curious to see what will happen.”
What effect does Italy’s absence have on you?
“I feel one hundred percent Italian now so I’m still sad when I think about it. But if the elimination happens three times it’s not a coincidence, there are some problems: the European Championship won in 2021 has deluded some people about the actual value of the movement. In this case, however, the mental aspect, the fear of not making it, had a heavy impact. And the bad initial defeat against Norway complicated the process.”
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