MILAN, Italy — Javier Zanetti has had his Achilles tendon operated on and the surgeon predicts that the Inter Milan captain will play again.
The defender, who turns 40 in August, was injured in Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Palermo and is likely to be out for six months.
The operating surgeon at the San Matteo facility in Pavia, Francesco Benazzo, says "Zanetti will play again. The Achilles tendon was repaired using another tendon from his leg which was inserted in the heel. The operation went perfectly and lasted 75 minutes."
Benazzo adds that Zanetti’s left foot will be immobilized for three weeks, after which he can begin walking again.
The physician says that "in cases like these, the estimated return to sports activity comes after six months."
Zanetti has said he wants to continue playing.