"It is an honour and a privilege for me to be the ambassador of such an important initiative. There are people in need all over the world and I want to do everything I can to help them," said Zanetti, who participated in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups and often captained the Argentine national team.
Javier Zanetti has been committed to helping underprivileged children for many years, and together with his wife Paula, set up the Pupi Foundation for children in need in Argentina. It was only natural for him to become a "FIFA for SOS Children's Villages" ambassador ahead of the 2006 FIFA World CupTM.
The Buenos Aires-born player is one of more than 80 football stars who have agreed to serve as ambassadors for SOS Children's Villages. Other current and retired players who have accepted this honorary role include: Andriy Shevchenko, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney, Fabio Cannavaro, Lucas Radebe and many more.
Zanetti, an indefatigable right-back defender with more than 100 caps for Argentina, is also a great supporter of the 6 villages for 2006 campaign between FIFA and SOS Children's Villages. This unprecedented charity effort aims to collect donations from football fans around the world to give 800 orphaned and abandoned children a family home at one of six new SOS Children's Villages.
"The 6 villages for 2006 campaign is a wonderful campaign and we, as footballers, must take responsibility for helping to spread this initiative," added Zanetti.