By Sports Reporter/Doha

It is difficult for a footballer to emulate the career of Walter Zenga. The Italian goalkeeper played over 300 matches between the sticks for Inter Milan, winning two UEFA Cups, and played in two World Cups for Italy, finishing third when the tournament was held in his home country in 1990. During the tournament, Zenga didn’t concede a goal for five matches. His record of keeping a clean sheet for 518 minutes is one that still stands after 24 years.
To nobody’s surprise, the IFFHS (International Federation of Football History & Statistics) voted him goalkeeper of the year for three consecutive years from 1989 to 1991.
Based in the UAE for the past five years coaching sides in Dubai and a short stint at Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nasr, Zenga made the short trip to Qatar to visit the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy. During his stay, he noted the importance of the World Cup coming to this part of the world.
He said: “From zero to ten, I’d say eleven. That’s how important it is. Football is the best sport in the world. When you talk about football it’s the universal word.”
A veteran of two World Cups, Zenga also highlighted the importance of introducing the first compact World Cup come 2022. In his first World Cup in Mexico in 1986, Zenga reminisced staying at one hotel in the city of Puebla with the entire Italian team for one month.
“It’s the best idea for one team to stay in the same hotel and use the same facilities, he added. “Cargo planes from Italy even brought the team pasta so we felt at home. But in Brazil, Italy played three games in three different conditions: different climate, different facilities, different hotels…it definitely affected the team.”
It’s not only for the players but its beneficial for fans too, the Azzuri legend added. “Fans can watch one game, then walk to another stadium and watch another game; live. It’s always more exciting to watching it on TV.”
While Zenga was in Doha, Seria A clubs Juventus FC and Napoli were also in town to participate in the Supercoppa Italiana.
For the ninth time in the tournament’s history, the venue for the match was outside Italy, giving the chance for Italian expats and locals to watch their favourite clubs in action.
It has previously been held in the USA and in China, but for the first time the Supercoppa came to the Middle East, and Zenga said since it’s being played mid-season, there’s no better place than Qatar.
Zenga, who lifted the trophy with Inter Milan in 1989, said: “Some people say the Supercoppa is not important, but it’s a tournament for winners; winners of the cup versus winners of the league. When one’s not involved, they say it’s not important, but the Supercoppa is one of the most important trophies…and this year, being played in the winter-time I think the best location was to play is here. There’s no doubt about it.”