Post by Taxigirl on Dec 7, 2003 12:09:46 GMT
Ivan Zamorano will be at the San Siro this afternoon to pick up a special plaque ahead of his retirement.
“I have the Nerazzurri colours in my blood and on my skin,” insisted the returning hero on the official club website.
The Chilean hitman was a fan favourite for Inter during his spell here from 1996 to 2001, bagging 41 goals with his traditional 1+8 jersey, but left for a return to South America.
“I shall always remember every moment of my time at Inter. The greatest disappointment was the UEFA Cup Final we lost on penalties to Schalke 04.”
“A year later it all turned around with the 3-0 win over Lazio in the same tournament. I still cannot describe that joy as we gave a trophy to the fans and President Massimo Moratti.”
The Tifosi will give the former Serie A star a standing ovation as he waves goodbye to supporters.
“I remain a diehard Inter fan and on Sunday when we won 3-1 at Juventus I went crazy. In fact, I think my neighbours will turf me out for being too loud,” he joked.
The hitman nicknamed ‘Bam Bam’ will turn 37 years of age next month and has decided to hang up his boots.
A star-studded farewell match is planned for December 22 in Santiago de Chile with guests including Javier Zanetti, Alvaro Recoba, Ronaldo and Roberto Baggio.
“I realise now that a player dies twice,” he sighed, “when he hangs up his boots and when he really does leave this earth.”
Zamorano already has a clear idea of what he will do in his retirement, as apart from working with charity UNICEF he will marry fiancée Maria Eugenia on Valentines Day 2004.