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,<ref name="Inter, la tappa più importante">{{cite web|url=http://www.fcinternews.it/in-primo-piano/tutto-samuel-inter-la-tappa-piu-importante-gli-attaccanti-piu-forti-142996|title=Tutto Samuel: Inter, la tappa più importante! Gli attaccanti più forti...|publisher=F.C. Inter News.it|author1=Christian Liotta|language=it|date=19 February 2014|access-date=30 December 2015}}</ref> with former international teammate and Inter captain Javier Zanetti referring to him as the "hardest player" he has played with. 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. Early life and personal life He was born Walter Lujan, and made his professional debut for Newell’s and played the World Youth Cup under that name. He later took the last name of his stepfather, Oscar Samuel. He has two sisters. Samuel is married to Cecilia. They have two sons and a daughter. Club career Early career 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 for 40.265 billion Italian lire (about €20 million). He 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. His quality attracted interest from Spanish team Real Madrid. Real Madrid paid €25 million for his transfer in 2004. Samuel failed to make an impact at Madrid. He was one of the three non-EU players of the team, along with Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos; they all obtained Spanish passports, however, in 2005. Internazionale In August 2005, he returned to the Serie A