One-thousand games, and counting, is the impressive record set by
Javier Zanetti Wednesday before his Inter Milan fans at the Giuseppe
Meazza.

A commemorative plate received before an Italian Cup semi-final
against Roma marked his entrance in a restricted club of nine over- 1,000
footballers, topped with 1,390 games by English goalkeeper Peter
Shilton.

Zanetti celebrated the achievement with a 1-1 draw that
qualified his side for the cup final on a 2-1 aggregate.

"It was a night
of emotion," Zanetti said. "I want to thank the fans and my wife up in the
stands. It was an important game for me. A difficult game as all those with
Roma. They have important players.

"Our season is still positive because
we began it winning the Italian Supercup and (in December) the Club World
Cup."

Jose Mourinho, who steered him to win the 2010 Champions League
with Inter, said once that he is convinced that there must be a mistake in
Zanetti's passport.

Although hard to believe, the truth is that El
Tractor will turn 38 in August, and has shown no intention to end his amazing
career.

Among his many achievements, Zanetti last May totalled 700 games
with Inter on the day he lifted the Champions League as team captain. He is now
close to 750 games in 16 seasons with the Nerazzurri.

In March 2010, he
tallied a run of 137 consecutive Serie A games and a month later he played his
500th game in the top-flight.

He is the most capped with the Argentine
national team, having played his 140th game in March.

Fairness, mixed
with toughness and tactical abilities, both in defence and midfield, are his
trademarks, which have made him one of the most respected footballers in
activity.