Javier ZANETTI | 1997-1999 & 2009-2010

[Brezza]

Based on stats by PLF

Nickname: "El Tractor"

Club: F.C. Internazionale Milano



Growth Type: Standard/Lasting

INFO:

Ahh Zanetti in his prime, in my top 3 right-backs ever to be honest.

Hasn't changed a whole deal but was at the peak of his powers in terms of immense physical fitness at this time, whilst being a quintessential attacking full-back making non-stop attacking raids down the right side while at the same time being a great defender. Rarely being caught out due to great reading of the game and his superb tackling.

Also his dribbling ability could be overlooked in the period, in his prime Zanetti could dribble pass almost anyone in front of him at will with those long runs of his.

***

Based on Stats by jurgens

Club: F.C. Internazionale Milano



Growth Type: Standard/Lasting

INFO:

I don't really feel I have to say a lot about him. He's one of the most famous names in world football today probably like Maldini. Inter's best player for past decade definitely and he's the one player who 99% of time has a good game and one of the most consistent I've ever had pleasure of seeing.

Obviously now at 35 I feel he's slightly going downhill and not as great as he used to be nonetheless in his peak it was my opinion that he was definitely #1 right back in world and now although not the same Javier, he's still one of the best!

What I loved about him was that he is Argentinian, he does have attacking football in his blood like the Brazilians and he is indeed very attacking minded which you'll see him making constant runs down the right hand side in your game with an 80 attack and 83 aggression BUT here's the big part that sets him apart from all other great attacking fullbacks and that is the fact that he's also a great DEFENDER. His tackling, his sense of positioning, his reading of the game at times is good enough to be a world class center back. So while Cafu, Cicinho and many other of the world's good attacking right backs go far and then you see have trouble defending or getting caught out, that was never a big or consistent error of Javier as he was almost equally great at both.

I don't use the term "Legend" too loosely but when I call this guy one, I really mean it. He has been on top of his game for 10 years doing great for NT and his club (too bad Inter never won anything and so one of the greatest right-backs in history of world football will maybe retire without having won anything probably unless Argentina win WC) and I will certainly miss him but always remember him as one of the greatest players I ever had pleasure of watching!

VIDEOS:




ADDITIONAL LINKS:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javier_Zanetti

http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javier_Zanetti

http://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/players/player=29332/profile/index.html

[Brezza]

Good stats but his attack seems to be a bit too high IMO

Dropped it to 80

[brondbylove]

Which is still crazy for a side back but with Javier it is okay

[PMC]

has he really been so marvelous at dribbling??

[Brezza]

Yes.
I have a feeling that his dribbling ability could be overlooked by many , in his prime Zanetti could dribble pass almost anyone in front of him at will.

[Vandeach]

I don't think his defending was so great then it was mainly his pace and great reactions that helped him defending I'd go 75 which is still pretty high its 2 over Dani Alves!

[Brezza]

Ok agreed and updated. By the way do you think his response could be even higher?

[Ace]

he needs consistency 99

[Vandeach]

Ok agreed and updated. By the way do you think his response could be even higher?

I feel you rated response quite well tbh and not really in need of an update 86 is a very high number for a *SB/WB.

[sencesor]

* marking? or is it too much?

d.a. tough (88) seems bit too high imo.

[S-J23]

I don't think 88 DA is too high.. if someone would make the SB prime stats for Maldini I'd expect the same (more or less ofc) value.. in the 87-89 range as these guys had awesome dribbling abilities contrary to plenty of modern SBs who often rely on speed and not much else when they got the ball.. it's not like Maldini and Zanetti were slower so they had to have more control.. but they wanted to and that's why they're talked about as probably the best ever SBs of all times.. because they pushed back the limits.. and we may say that they set the new ones too high.. as there is not one SB that is currently close to them.. not even if we imagine youngsters like Rafael developing rapidly and greatly..

[Uzair]

wouldn't Cafu be amongst them?

[bitz]

Yeah of course, Cafu had an amazing technique also.

[S-J23]

wouldn't Cafu be amongst them?

Roberto Carlos as well, maybe.. but honestly.. those two Brazilians.. I like them just as I like Dani Alves currently.. they're super awesome.. but Zanetti and Maldini are very special cases at least for me.. I'd not compare them with anyone else.. it's THE right back and THE left back.. no one else

[sencesor]

fair enough bout d.a.

what bout *marking?

[yourigo]

i gree with *marking. he was a very intelligent player

[Brezza]

Added *marking.

[elgen]

From what's in my memory, I cannot see why he shouldn't have 97 for stamina. He kept it going even if it said extra time! He's too much of a class to show that he's tired. Remember, we're talking about his prime here... So yeah, I reckon his stamina should be 97...

As for BB, he could hold off quite strong players, tbh. IMO, I see him on par with C. Ronaldo in terms of strength. That's why I reckon he should have at least 84 for BB.

And yeah, his DS and DA was that great. No doubts about it.

Rest looks goodiegood.

[HFClub]

Shouldn't he have SM as optional position aswell?

[hsnandra]

I think Growth Type should be Late/Lasting, mainly due to the fact that there has not been much of a change in his attributes as the years have gone by. He is a trully exceptional player solely for the fact that he is still playing at the highest level and has done so since forever.