El Jardinero 50. Happy birthday, Julio!

MILANO - "El Jardinero" turns 50 today. Arriving at Inter in the summer of 2003, he captured the hearts of all Nerazzurri fans, match after match. His story began by leaving an unforgettable mark with his first goal, scored in the Champions League, where he opened the scoring in the match against Arsenal, which ended in a 3-0 victory at the legendary Highbury stadium. In that goal, in that delicate touch, there is much of his footballing life. The movement that caught the Gunners' defenders off guard and that lifted touch to outsmart the goalkeeper, beating him with a sweet curler. It was on these fundamentals that he based his career, waiting for the right moment, utilising his skills, and adapting to the situation to pierce his opponents in the best possible way. That goal against Arsenal remains one of the most significant of his career, along with the one he scored a few months later in Turin from a perfectly executed free kick. It was an evening that elevated him to the Nerazzurri pantheon, with a brace, he was the absolute star in the 3-1 victory against Juventus. Inter hadn’t won a league match in Turin against the Bianconeri for ten years.

His adventure with Inter continued for six seasons, during which he stood out for his great professionalism and total dedication to the cause. Whether as a starter or a substitute, he always interpreted each match perfectly. His unforgettable goal in the derby in March 2007 was also crucial for winning the Scudetto. He was a beloved player among all Nerazzurri fans, especially for his spirit of sacrifice and adaptability.

Overall, he scored 75 goals in 195 appearances between 2003 and 2009, contributing to the victory of two Coppa Italia titles, three Supercoppa di Lega titles, and four Scudetti, delighting fans with skills, thrills and goals. From FC Internazionale Milano and the Nerazzurri fans, best wishes to "El Jardinero" Julio Ricardo Cruz!