Milan, Italy – Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti has played his final game of the season after rupturing the Achilles tendon in his left foot in Inter's 1-0 defeat against Palermo on Sunday.
Zanetti was forced from the field in the 17th minute with the injury, and after tests, it was confirmed that the 39-year-old now faces a lengthy absence, although he has vowed to return.
"My goal is to come back stronger than before, and I believe [I can]," Zanetti told the club's website. "I had to change tires after so many miles... I'm sorry for how the season has gone. Injuries can happen and they're part of this profession. The most important thing is the team. We'll decide when surgery will take place.
"They still haven't given me the timescale involved, but my career certainly isn't over. What matters is healing well. What I want most is to be back with my teammates."
Zanetti has appeared in over 600 games for Inter since joining the club in 1995, while he also earned 145 caps for Argentina during his international career.
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