Zanetti determined to play beyond 40

The Nerazzurri legend has refuted claims that he is set to retire, instead stating his desire to prolong his playing career even further

Javier Zanetti has dismissed suggestions he will hang up his boots at the end of the season and says he is determined to be an Inter player beyond his 40th birthday.

The Argentina defender joined the club back in 1995 and has gone on to lift five Serie A titles and the Champions League, among a host of other trophies, in his 18 years at San Siro.

But with the Nerazzurri enduring a tough campaign under Andrea Stramaccioni, having been knocked out of the Europa League by Tottenham and slipping to seventh in Italy's top flight, there were rumours the 39-year-old could call time on an illustrious playing career, though he insists that is not the case.

“I think I will play for another season,” he told Mediasport Premium after his side’s 2-1 defeat at the hands of Juventus on Saturday.

“We are bitter about the final result, because we played on a par with Juventus. The performance was positive and we tried to equalise in every way possible. Everyone could see we were in the game.

“Inter are still in the race for a Champions League spot and it is our duty to keep giving our all, to keep believing in our chances.”