Sandro Mazzola: Javier Zanetti’s Heartfelt Message

Javier Zanetti—an Inter icon during his playing days and the club’s current vice president—didn’t mince words in paying tribute to Sandro Mazzola, the legendary symbol of the “Beneamata” who passed away at the age of 83 during the night between Friday and Saturday. Mazzola was instrumental in bringing Zanetti to the club in the summer of 1995, at a time when he was in charge of Inter’s transfers under President Massimo Moratti.

“You were and will always be a legend,” Zanetti wrote on his social media. “A gentleman, a role model, a champion on the field and in life. A symbol of Inter and Italian soccer around the world, for generations and forever. I owe you so much, Sandro. You were one of the most important figures in my life when, as a young boy in Argentina, I dreamed of playing for Inter: you were among those who brought me to Milan, a gift for which I will never stop being grateful to you. Rest in peace, Sandro.”

Javier Zanetti and Sandro Mazzola are among the top 5 players with the most appearances in the Nerazzurri jersey: the Argentine holds the all-time record with 858 (615 in Serie A), while Valentino’s son currently ranks fourth with 566 appearances (416 in the top flight, also placing him fourth in that category).

With Inter, Sandro Mazzola won the Scudetto four times (1962–1963, 1964–1965, 1965–1966, and 1970–1971), the European Cup twice (1963–1964 and 1964–1965), and the Intercontinental Cup twice (1964 and 1965). He was also the top scorer in Italy’s Serie A in 1964–1965 with 17 goals, as well as in the European Cup the previous year, with 7 goals.