Inter Milan Vice-President Heaps Praise On Como Starlet & Puts Nerazzurri Talisman In Elite Group: “Among The Best Strikers In The World” | OneFootball

Inter Milan vice-president Javier Zanetti praised star striker Lautaro Martinez and Como starlet Nico Paz in his latest interview.

Speaking to ESPN via FCInterNews, Zanetti opened up on his close friendship with Paz’s father Pablo.

Like Nico Paz, his father was a successful football player.

Indeed, Pablo shared the dressing room with Javier Zanetti on Argentina’s national team back in the day.

Zanetti’s friendly relationship with Paz’s father could give Inter the upper hand in a potential transfer tug-of-war in the summer.

In addition to the Nerazzurri, Real Madrid are also in the race for the 20-year-old.

However, Los Blancos have a buyback clause, which puts them in the driver’s seat.

Yet, Inter won’t give up.

On the other hand, Federico Dimarco and Denzel Dumfries have excelled for Inter this season.

Therefore, Zanetti waxed lyrical about Simone Inzaghi’s high-performing wingbacks.

“Since joining us, they have shown great personality and consistency,” he claimed.

“Dimarco has a left foot that few players in that position possess and has the advantage of coming through our academy.

“We are very pleased with the level of both. In the team selection, I like all four full-backs, as they each have different characteristics.”

Inter Milan Vice-President Javier Zanetti Praises Nico Paz & Names Lautaro Martinez Among Best in The World

“Pablo and I slept together in the training camp for the 1998 World Cup,” Zanetti admitted.

“Now there is his son who plays very close to my home, in Como, and he is doing very well, just like Soulé. He’s also good every time he plays.”

COMO, ITALY – NOVEMBER 24: Nico Paz of Como 1907 in actio during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio G. Sinigaglia on November 24, 2024 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, he considers El Toro as one of the world’s best goal-getters via FCInterNews.

“I’m happy with the decision to sign him when we did.

“When you buy a young player, you have to evaluate them over four or five years.

“Lautaro didn’t surprise us – we considered what he had already shown, and he has improved every year.

“He shows a great sense of belonging. I think he’s among the best number nines in the world.

“He helps the team a lot, and as a forward, he still has a long way to go – he’s very young.”

Finally, Zanetti offered his verdict on Sunday’s Derby d’Italia loss at Juventus.

“Inter played an excellent first half, and Juventus found the goal in the second half.

“We didn’t deserve to lose; a draw would have been the fairest result.”