Paolo Taveggia, a 72-year-old Italian sports executive, has shared behind-the-scenes stories about two significant South American signings for Inter Milan. Taveggia worked closely with Inter’s former president Massimo Moratti to bring in talented players that left a lasting impact on the club.
Taveggia recounts how he secured the transfer of Roberto Carlos, stating that the deal was already agreed upon with Palmeiras. However, the player’s signature was still needed. “Moratti gave me a plane and sent me to Uruguay to resolve the situation,” Taveggia revealed. He flew to São Paulo, only to discover Roberto Carlos was in Punta del Este with the Brazilian national team for the Copa América.
Taveggia chartered a private jet to Uruguay, where he mingled with fans and spotted Roberto Carlos at his hotel. He signaled to the player, paid a waiter $100 to deliver the contract, and Roberto Carlos signed it immediately. The transfer was finalized for €3.5 million in August 1995. Roberto Carlos played 34 games, scored 7 goals, and provided 3 assists during his sole season with Inter before joining Real Madrid.
A Lasting Legacy
Roberto Carlos’s time at Inter may have been brief, but it marked the beginning of a successful journey that saw him earn 127 caps for Brazil. Meanwhile, another South American player, Javier Zanetti, joined Inter in the same summer as Roberto Carlos. Taveggia credits his friendship with Julio Grondona, the then-president of the Argentine Football Association, for facilitating Zanetti’s transfer for $4.5 million.
Zanetti, nicknamed “El Tractor,” went on to play 19 seasons with Inter, winning numerous titles and becoming the club’s all-time appearance record holder with 858 games. He remains involved with the club as vice-president.
What Could Have Been
Taveggia also revealed a close call involving Gabriel Batistuta, stating that he had agreed on a deal with the player’s agent, Settimio Aloisio, to bring him to Inter. However, the transfer fell through when Moratti listened to other club officials.
- Roberto Carlos played one season for Inter before joining Real Madrid.
- Javier Zanetti spent 19 seasons with Inter, becoming a club legend.
- Taveggia’s efforts to sign Gabriel Batistuta were unsuccessful due to internal disagreements.