Nineteen years at one club. Javier Zanetti spent nearly two decades at Inter Milan and became the most celebrated captain in the club's history. Inter without Zanetti was a bit like a match without a referee: possible in theory, but nobody wanted to try it.
He made over 850 official appearances for Inter, more than anyone else in the club's history. In 2009-10 he captained the side to the treble of Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia, the greatest season Inter have had.
Right, left or midfield
Zanetti was a full-back who could play on either side, and when needed he moved into midfield without any drop in quality. He rarely complained and almost always delivered, which is harder over nineteen years than it sounds. For Argentina he played 143 times, among the most capped players the country has produced.
The number that matters most is the first one. 850-plus appearances for one club is extraordinary in any era, and in the modern game it is close to unheard of. He was the heartbeat of the team for almost two decades and he led them to their biggest triumph.
Loyal, consistent and very professional, the Argentine is our number 27.
Coming tomorrow: number 26.
