I Miss Argentina

Italian version

"I dream of winning the "scudetto" with Fiorentina, and then after 2003 return home"; "My principal objective has always been the same, become Italy's champion with Fiorentina"; "The Champion League and the World Cup, it's a whole other thing but not less important"; "My records? They are a reward borne from hard work and dedication"

"Firenze"--The thirtyfirst birthday is said to come hand in hand with maturity and serenity. Today Gabriel celebrates his 31st. birthday a very important date in his life because it takes place in the year 2000. Year in which sometime back he pointed as the one in which he would put an end to his successful soccer career and time to return to Argentina. But the year 2000 has met with a still very competitive Batistuta. A Batistuta still at his best, with the same hunger for winning, for breaking records and above all for scoring goals. Among the gifts he received one was quite out of the ordinary. The first edition of the "Gazzetta Dello Sport" in Argentina, featuring a Batistuta interview, Argentina's foremost soccer player. A long interview where he talks about his present, and his plans for the future which seem to be a very, very busy one.

Batistuta, how does it feel to be confronted with a not so clear future and the posibility of opening new doors that can bring you even more success and recognition?
"For now my wish is to remain in Florence until the end of my contract in 2003. Fiorentina will be the only Italian team in which I will play. It's a beautiful feeling knowing you've given everything you could to one team. My soccer career will continue as of now. I'm looking forward to World Cup 2002, a very important incentive that will keep me working at top level".

Then you no longer think of ending your career in Argentina?
"No, the idea will always be there, but all will depend on how I'm doing and what will the Argentine soccer has to offer".

In what aspect?
"I do not follow Argentina's championship too closely, so I just know what my teammates in the National team tell me. Argentina's reality concerning football is very simple. There's three clubs that are doing fine and the others are facing serious difficulties. It's not easy to find a club in which it's organization is at top level".

Have you thought what you'll be doing after 2003?
"I think of this a lot. Only one thing is certain, I will never be a coach. I could stay linked with football but as a scout or helping children learn how to move in the soccer world and learn how to be a sportsman".

When you hear of all this new emerging talent, some of which like Turdo being called 'the new Batistuta', does this make you think more of the future?
"Turdo is not the first. In a way this is for me something to be proud, to be a point of reference for this emerging strikers. I don't know Turdo personally but I've heard a lot of good things about him. In another way I think comparissons are unfair. It's not fair for the youngones to be confronted daily with a name. It's like those children of champions which have to emulate or surpass their fathers, this make their work even harder. But at the end it all depends on them".

It will be difficult for anybody to improve your records. Of all the records you've established until now, which is the one you have the highest regard for?
"That with the National team. Argentina's team is well respected all over the world and I've been part of this team for ten years. The other records have come without much thought, they are the fruit of hard work and dedication".

This records of yours will always bring you into the public light everytime someone is trying to break them. You'll be seek out by everyone...
"I'll disconnect all the phones....."

What do you think of this 'millionaire' football?
"This sport reflects what's going on in life. We all know that football beside being a game is also a bussiness, it's only fair that the protagonist will take their part of it. It comes not as a surprise for me the amounts of money paid for Vieri or Rivaldo. What is behind all this is what seem to me strange".

How come?
"Thanks to the players the stadiums are full, we work, trained hard, we are judged, we are praised, we are whistled, we are the ones to be seen while there are others that are never seen and are getting richer. Anyway I don't see any danger in the future, soccer like everything else in life is moving with the times. The players will adapt to the situation".

What about players protesting against the organization committees, for example: the protest against playing at night.
"It's fair. This profession is changing. It's no longer 'play for a time and then retire'. We could say players nowadays are bussinessmen and as such they should know how to manage themselves".

Some are asking for the judiciary to take an active part in soccer.
"Certain thing have happened that have created a suspicious atmosphere, the people question. For me suspicion is not enough, it upsets me when people talk or make a statement without having any proof".

The referees seem to be in the middle of 'the storm' yet again.
"And every time due to the same thing. A bad call, a penalty given or not given could very well change the outcome of a season. It even affect the market. Everyone is under preassure".

This crisis in which Fiorentina seems to be submerged has taken the team away from any chance to win the "scudetto", it's your dream winning the Champion League?
"No, my principal objective is the same as always, winning the "scudetto" with Fiorentina, this is no longer possible this season, but we will be back next year. The Champion League, the World Cup, it's a whole other thing, but not less important, they are there waiting to be conquered".

Speaking of our championship, there's at least one Argentine in every team in Serie A. Who's your favorite...Lazio who wear the same shirt as Argentina?
"Those shirts the only thing that has in common are the colors. I remain neutral, but it's nice to see so many Argentinians being part of Serie A. It feels good to know that we, the older ones have contributed to establish a good reputation with our work and professionalism. For me is a matter of pride to be part of all those like Maradona, Caniggia, Troglio, Balbo and others that contributed to this. We were the ones who opened this 'road' but I have to say that all the young ones that have come after us have shown to be deserving of this opportunity".

Would you recommend a young Argentinian player to be part of Serie A?
"At this moment I can't, I do not follow the Argentinian championship too closely. Right now I'm totaly focused on what's going on with my Fiorentina".

With your goals you could well influence your friends chances at the "scudetto"?
"When I'm in the pitch I only think of my team Fiorentina, not on favoring any one".

What about your personal life...
"I'm working on different projects. I love challenges, just like the ones the "calcio" (football) world has brought me. I had a ranch in Argentina which is thriving and in Italy I had two or three very interesting projects, one of them connected with the "calcio". But nothing is certain yet....."

Batistuta is Argentina's National Team top scorer. Gabriel Batistuta was born on the 1st. of February, l969 in Avellaneda, Argentina. In Argentina he played with Newell's, River Plate and Boca Juniors. Then he came to Italy to play with Fiorentina, season 91-92. His first match was against Juventus (1-0), he has won a "Coppa Italia" (l996), a "Supercoppa Italiana" (l996). With Argentina's National Team he won two "Coppe America" (l99l & l993). Batistuta also owned the National Team goal scoring record with 50 goals in 69 matches, 14 more than Diego Maradona.