Zanetti had Real Madrid option

Inter legend Javier Zanetti did consider once leaving the club for an adventure with Real Madrid.

“I was about to leave, for a very important team in Spain, such as Real Madrid,” the versatile defender and midfielder told Video News.

“But if I had to leave, I wanted to leave a mark for Inter. Then I was given the captain’s armband and it was a beautiful responsibility.

“Everything that came after that was something extraordinary.”

Inter legend Javier Zanetti did consider once leaving the club for an adventure with Real Madrid.

“I was about to leave, for a very important team in Spain, such as Real Madrid,” the versatile defender and midfielder told Video News.

“But if I had to leave, I wanted to leave a mark for Inter. Then I was given the captain’s armband and it was a beautiful responsibility.

“Everything that came after that was something extraordinary.”

The Argentine, now 40 and playing again after six months on the sidelines, moved to San Siro in the summer of 1995. He was handed the armband in 1999.