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Join Goal.com in saluting another player worthy of global recognition

Welcome to Goal.com's regular feature: Goal.com World Player of the Week. Each week our worldwide team of editors will put forward a selected candidate, as chosen by Goal.com International, who deserves recognition for achieving something special that matchday. It won't necessarily be the best player in the world - at least not usually - but whoever we nominate will have accomplished something amazing. It might be for a particularly awesome performance or for something praiseworthy off the pitch - either way, the person in question deserves special attention...

Goal.com World Player of the Week #139: Javier Zanetti
Club: Inter
Country: Argentina
Age: 38
Role: Defender
Achievement: Inspired Inter to victory over AC Milan in Derby della Madonnina

Diego Milito scored the all-important goal in Inter’s triumph over city rivals AC Milan in the Derby della Madonnina on Sunday evening, but the man who once again astonished everyone was a certain Javier Zanetti.

At 38, the Argentine legend should be in the twilight of his career, but you'd never see that while watching him in the Inter shirt. A perennial performer for the Italian giants, Zanetti once again turned on the style in their 1-0 win against the Rossoneri at San Siro.

The former Banfield full-back, who also features in the midfield, was at the heart of Diego Milito’s strike in the second half, as it was his right-wing cross that Milan full-back Ignazio Abate failed to clear, leading to the goal.

An evergreen, masterclass player, Zanetti was a constant threat to Milan and defended his own territory well, his energy, enthusiasm, dynamism and vision a marvel to behold.

Congratulations to Javier Zanetti, Goal.com's 139th World Player of the Week!
 

Honourable Mentions

Joe Allen - Swansea City

Newly promoted Premier League club Swansea City recorded a stunning 3-2 victory over Arsenal at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday, and the man at the centre of that triumph was a certain Joe Allen. His passes, free-kick deliveries and link-up plays were all brilliant, and he also set up Nathan Dyer’s goal.

Radamel Falcao - Atletico Madrid

Radamel Falcao is the one big hope for Atletico Madrid in the Spanish club’s attempt to finish in a European place in the Primera Division this season, and he enhanced their chances by scoring twice in the capital club’s 3-0 victory over Villarreal at the Vicente Calderon on Sunday.

Olivier Giroud - Montpellier

Montpellier have established themselves as the main challengers to Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain for the title, and they continued their threat with a 1-0 home victory over Olympique Lyonnais on Saturday. Olivier Giroud was the man of the moment as he scored the only goal of the match at Stade de la Mosson on 62 minutes after taking advantage of some poor defending.

Thierry Henry - Arsenal

Thierry Henry is considered one of the greatest ever players in Arsenal’s history and the French legend made a grandstand return to the Emirates Stadium last week. Coming on as a second-half substitute against Leeds United in the third round of the FA Cup, the 34-year-old scored the only goal in their 1-0 victory. It was a typical Henry finish and something that the Arsenal fans relished.

Loic Remy - Olympique de Marseille

Loic Remy scored both goals in Olympique de Marseille’s 2-0 victory over defending French champions Lille at home in Ligue 1 on Sunday. The French striker went close on a couple of occasions in the first half before netting his brace in the second session, and was the best player on the pitch at Stade Velodrome in a game attended by Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp.

Leave your notes of congratulations for Javier Zanetti below, or discuss who else deserves a place in the spotlight this week...