Inter Forever, Zamorano: "Icardi has the same determination and desire as I had"

MILAN – He was absolutely electrifying and one of those players who would have always been remembered, whether he had scored one or 100 goals. He demonstrated dedication, commitment and huge fighting spirit in the Nerazzurri shirt. Ivan Zamorano is a key historical figure for the club, and not just because of his 1+8 shirt number. His goal-poaching instincts as well as his passionate outbursts and partnership with The Phenomenon will always be remembered.

Nowadays, we still see Ivan celebrating just like he did back in the day.  However, he’s no longer expressing his joy on the pitch, but in the stands. He has a bond with Inter that will never be broken, with his undying connection to the club being cemented on the night of 6 May 1998 in Paris as the Nerazzurri played Lazio in the UEFA Cup final: “We were fired up before the match, it was our chance to put things right after having suffered a very painful defeat in the final of the same competition just a year earlier against Schalke. Losing wasn’t an option. I remember everything about that evening: my early goal and knockdown for Zanetti’s stunning strike. I remember Ronaldo’s goal, too. It was a wonderful night, we managed to win a fantastic cup. Everyone involved with the club still remembers everything with such incredible passion.”

He was an explosive striker, and it’s not easy to find someone with the same characteristics as Zamorano today: “It’s always difficult to compare former players with current ones, there are always differences between them. Although he is young, there is a player at Inter who has the same determination, strength and desire to play as I had. That player is the captain, Mauro Icardi.”