Playing with 10 men at the Camp Nou, it was like climbing Everest.We left our souls on the pitch

In 2010, halfway through three decades at Inter, Javier Zanetti teamed up with Jose Mourinho to secure an unlikely Champions League triumph. In his own words, the Nerazzurri vice-president remembers ending 45 years of hurt, via some errant sprinklers...

- Dani Gil

My association with Inter is now 30 years old, and everything started in Mar del Plata. It was March 1995 and I was with Argentina, playing the final of the Pan American Games against Mexico. Inter scouts began following me that day. Back then, VHS tapes were still common, and they showed videos of me to club president Massimo Moratti. He liked how I played, and they decided to sign me. I was surprised Inter took an interest in a relatively unknown 21-year-old Argentine. I was just finishing my second season at Banfield and never imagined an opportunity like that could arise. In my mind, I expected to make the leap to a more successful club in Argentina first, then move to Europe. But everything happened so fast.

I never hesitated about going to Italy. It was a challenge that life had presented, to see if I was truly ready to compete with the best. At that time, Serie A was the most prestigious league in Europe.

When I first arrived in Milan, it felt incredible - I immediately realised the significance of Inter, and the club's immense stature in Italy. It was pouring with rain on the day of my presentation, but despite the terrible weather many media outlets came to cover the event, along with Nerazzurri legends including Giacinto Facchetti, Luis Suarez and Sandro Mazzola. Giuseppe Bergomi, then the club captain, was also present.

As soon as I started training, I found myself in a big family - something I later learned was part of the club's DNA. Any young player who arrives at Inter wants to feel welcomed and protected, and I felt all of that. They looked after me, ensuring I lacked nothing so I could be as comfortable as possible.