Futbol Rebelde: Javier Zanetti and the Zapatistas

As Argentina heads into the semifinal, we give props to the great former Argentinian team captain, Javier Zanetti. Always a friend of the people, Zanetti famously demonstrated his support for the Zapatistas in Mexico, and organized his teammates at Inter Milan to send money and goods to autonomous communities in Chiapas.

In response, EZLN leader Subcomandante Marcos wrote Zanetti in 2005 and invited Inter to a friendly match, which unfortunately was never realized. Especially in the wake of his country’s economic crisis in 2001, Zanetti has been a powerful critic of neoliberal globalization, and has set up social initiatives in poor countries to help the people who are suffering from its effects.