Pupi Zanetti: “Experiences around the world say that SAD works, but I don’t know if we are prepared for this change in our football”

The days of Javier Adelmar Zanetti They are the same, or even more frenetic, than when he was an elite footballer. And to give an example, just put the magnifying glass on his December: he followed Inter, club of which he is vice-president, in his visits to Naples and Rome against Lazio; The first few days of the month he was in the United States to attend the draw of the America’s Cup and play a game with several legends at DRV PNK Stadium in Miami; He also went to Switzerland to sing at the draw for the round of 16 Champions League. And without wasting time, he got on another plane to return to Argentina, that place where he always spends his holidays.

“I take all this coming and going as part of the job; It is one of the aspects of the role. I deal with international relations with FIFA, UEFA and Conmebol and this is important to me. Luckily my family accompanies me and many times they can stay with me”, confesses Zanetti to Clarín.

-Are holidays always in Argentina?

-Yes, since my days as a player. I always come to the countryside for holidays because I have my dad, my family, my friends; and there is also the PUPI Foundation: it is a project that we have already established with my family.

-Aren’t you tired of so many trips?

-Not for now. I try to pass on everything you have learned along the way. I prepared for this new role as a manager, I studied at University because I wanted to have a broader vision of football than the one I had as a player. So I don’t just deal with sports.

-In 2023 you turned 50. Were there any balances?

-He’s a special figure. I am grateful to life for what it has brought me through. But I want to do more. When I remember what I experienced, I just feel grateful because I was able to realize my big dream of becoming a footballer. And now I am still tied to this beautiful sport. And I do everything with the values ​​I learned as a child.

He Pupi Zanetti He is an energetic man with an easy smile. He is a person who worships the maxim “friend of his, friends of him”. And a few hours after arriving in Argentina, the former right back of the national team arrived in Sarandí to participate in the inauguration of “La Meca Club de Amigos”, a property located in Parque Avellaneda Shopping (Nicaragua 16427), which it has a five-a-side football pitch, paddle tennis and beach tennis and will collaborate with the PUPI Zanetti Foundation, furthermore, it will be Ambassador of the football school which will start in February.

But Pupi’s stellar presence at the inauguration was not symbolic, but rather he put his body: He dressed up as a paddle tennis player to play a match with professional players and then dived with a group of young players. What is said an earthly whole. “This property was the dream of friendly people who have always believed in sports. I know the importance of having sports facilities like these. The little squares that used to be on the street no longer exist and we need our children to be contained in a healthy and safe environment. And the La Meca football school will have as its fundamental axes teaching kids to be better players, but above all helping them to be better people”, confesses the Dock Sud native.

-These days in Argentina the debate on sports joint stock companies is very latent. What position do you have on this matter, taking into account that they are proliferating in Europe?

-The first thing I think is that we must be prepared as a society for such a change. And here I don’t know if we still are. Experiences around the world, which are many, say that SAD works and that the fans are happy. I think it’s a matter of being clear and making people understand that all that would be done is to grow the company and make it fun. I also know that there are cases that have not been positive. But I repeat: I don’t know if we are prepared for this big change in our football. Maybe later yes.

Zanetti has worn the Argentina shirt 143 times and is only surpassed by Javier Mascherano (147) and Lionel Messi (180).. Pupi is therefore the authorized voice to talk about the national team and consultation on Lionel Scaloni’s continuity is inevitable. “Lionel said what he felt and there is no strategy behind his statements. I’m sure there’s nothing cheap about it: he understood that it was time to stop the ball and take a good look at the view. Both Scaloni and the rest of the guys on the coaching staff have shown great commitment towards the national team and their decisions must be respected. They will certainly meet President Tapia and together they will decide how to proceed. I hope they continue the journey together,” explained Pupi.

-How do you see the team that will face the Copa América?

-The selection is very good. Against Brazil at the Maracaná he demonstrated once again that he is still on the same path. The Copa América will be very balanced, as usual. Uruguay has many substitutes and a great coach in Marcelo Bielsa. Brazil is still Brazil, despite the defeats and the fact that they aren’t having fun.

-Is it difficult to manage success?

-Success, if you take it the right way, only helps you grow. The higher you are, the more humble you have to be. If we continue on this path, Argentina will have a great future.

-Is Argentine football seen in Europe?

-Here is the raw material and Europe has always liked the Argentine player. This is what we must never lose. Argentines and South Americans have personality and passion; They admire us for how we live football.