Walter Samuel

The Wall of Inter

Walter Adrián Samuel (born Walter Adrián Luján; 23 March 1978) is an Argentine former professional footballer. Samuel has been regarded as one of the best centre-backs of his generation, and as one of football's toughest defenders, with former international teammate and Inter captain Javier Zanetti referring to him as the "hardest player" he has played with.

Quick Facts

Full name: Walter Adrián Samuel
Birth name: Walter Adrián Luján
Born: 23 March 1978
Birthplace: Laborde, Córdoba, Argentina
Height: 1.83 m / 6 ft
Position: Centre-back
Total caps: 469
Total goals: 31

Lore & Background

Samuel began his club career with domestic club Newell's Old Boys in 1996, later moving to Boca Juniors the following year. This was soon followed by a move to Europe in 2000, and spells with Italian club Roma, and Spanish club Real Madrid. In 2005, he returned to Italy, joining Inter, where he remained for nine seasons, winning five consecutive Serie A titles; he played a key role in the club's treble success in the 2009–10 season, partnering with Lúcio in defence under José Mourinho. At an international level, he has accumulated over 50 caps for the Argentina national team, representing his country at two FIFA World Cups, the 1999 Copa América, and the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup, where he won a runners-up medal.

Reader's Guide

Samuel started playing professionally in 1996 in Argentina for Newell's Old Boys, and a year later moved to Boca Juniors, where he played 103 matches and scored five goals in all competitions until 2000. In that year, Roma bought his contract. He gained fame as one of the best defenders in the Italian league and won the Serie A title with Roma in 2001. Real Madrid paid €25 million for his transfer in 2004. Samuel failed to make an impact at Madrid. In August 2005, he returned to the Serie A with a transfer to Inter Milan on a four-year contract. He began his Inter adventure by winning the 2005 Supercoppa Italiana versus Juventus. He finished his first season at Inter by making 42 appearances in all competitions, with the team winning the championship following the relegation of Juventus due to match-fixing, and Coppa Italia by defeating Roma 4–2 on aggregate. In the Derby della Madonnina on 23 December 2007, Samuel hurt himself whilst marking Kaká, and later had reconstructive surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament. He returned to training in October of the 2008–09 season and played his first match in more than nine months on 9 November. Samuel was one of the most important players under Mourinho in the 2009–10 season, partnering Lúcio in defence as they won the Serie A title, the Coppa Italia, and the UEFA Champions League, completing a historic treble. He scored his first goal of the season on 20 October in the Champions League versus Dynamo Kyiv. Later on 9 January, Samuel scored a last-minute winner in the 4–3 win versus Siena. He played his 100th Serie A game for Inter on 24 April in the 3–1 win over Atalanta. Samuel suffered a severe knee injury on 7 November 2010 fixture against Brescia. He returned on 15 May of the following year. On 5 February 2012, Samuel played his 500th match as a professional in the 4–0 defeat at Roma. He left Inter at the end of 2013–14 season, having made 236 appearances and winning 13 trophies in nine years. After nine seasons with Inter, on 23 July 2014, Samuel signed a one-year contract with Basel in the Swiss Super League. He played his domestic league debut for the club on 31 August. Samuel scored his first goal for Basel in the last match of the 2014–15 season on 25 May 2015. At the end of the 2014–15 season, Basel won the championship. In June 2015, Samuel prolonged his contract with Basel for another year.

Did You Know?

Samuel was born Walter Adrián Luján and later took the last name of his stepfather, Óscar Samuel.
He has two sisters, and is married to Cecilia, with whom he has two sons and a daughter.