1. Walter 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.
Walter Samuel began his club career with domestic club Newell's Old Boys in 1996, later moving to Boca Juniors the following year.
Walter Samuel was born Walter Lujan, making his professional debut for Newell's and playing the World Youth Cup under that name.
Walter Samuel later took the last name of his stepfather, Oscar Samuel.
Walter 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.
Walter Samuel gained fame as one of the best defenders in the Italian league and gained a nickname to match, winning the Serie A title with Roma in 2001.
Walter Samuel's quality attracted interest from Spanish team Real Madrid.
Walter Samuel was one of the three non-EU players of the team, along with Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos; they all obtained Spanish passports in 2005.
Walter Samuel began his Inter adventure by winning the 2005 Supercoppa Italiana versus Juventus, entering in 63rd minute as Nerazzurri won at extra-time thanks to the winner of Veron.
Walter Samuel finished the season by making 42 appearances and scoring 4 goals; he was praised for his defensive performances against Barcelona and Bayern Munich on Inter's road to the Champions League title.
Walter Samuel suffered a severe knee injury - a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, this time on his other knee - on 7 November 2010 fixture against Brescia.
In June 2013, Walter Samuel extended his contract for another season, in what would be his final season.
Walter Samuel scored his first goal of the season on 9 February 2014, a header which resulted the winner in the match against Sassuolo for the first win of 2014.
Walter Samuel scored his first goal for his club in the last match of that season on 25 May 2015.
Under manager Paulo Sousa, Walter Samuel totaled 26 appearances, 13 League, 1 Cup, 4 Champions League, as well 8 in test games.
Walter Samuel was part of Argentina U20 which emerged victorious in the 1997 edition of FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Walter Samuel has played 56 matches for Argentina between 1999 and 2010, scoring five goals.
Walter Samuel played for his country in the 2002 FIFA World Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup, as well as in the 1999 Copa America, and in the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup, in which Argentina won a runners-up medal.
Walter Samuel is the assistant coach for Argentina and has held the position since 2019.
Walter Samuel was recently part of the Argentina managerial team who won the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.