Gabriel Batistuta Interview

Italian version

Buenos Aires -- Gabriel Batistuta arrived in Buenos Aires on a very busy day journalistically speaking. Besides his arrival, Boca Jrs. and River Plate were fighting for a place in the quarter finals of "Copa Libertadores", also this being the eve of 'Liberty Day', the eve of the 99th birthday of River Plate. Yet, at six o'clock in the morning there were at least one hundred journalist waiting to ask him the same question: What are your plans? With whom are you going to be playing? How much will you be paid? Bati answered the press questions in a conference room at the airport. After this he left to spend the rest of the day resting in one of the elegant hotels in the "Recoleta" district, with a view of the famous cemetery "Monumental". Crosses and tombs, yes, but they are a piece of Argentina's history. From here he will go to meet the rest of Argentina's National Team. Argentina will be facing Bolivia on the 4th of June. A very busy schedule that will see Bati playing a match per month with the National Team. June 29, Colombia/Argentina, July l9, Argentina/Ecuador, July 26, Brazil/Argentina.

Bati's trip from Milano or even from Firenze to Buenos Aires was not without inconveniences. An auto accident blocked the highway and he couldn't get to the airport on time. So he called the airport authorities at Malpensa, Milano and asked if the departure could be delayed. This was granted by the authorities involved and in a chase against time he arrived in his car right at gate B-10. Waiting in the plane along with the rest of the passengers were Sensini and Ortega.

Before going to sleep he studies for a whole hour for the pilot license test. He answered questions, studied maps, recognized meteorological situations, etc. He sign autographs and those who asked about what he was studying, smiling he told them:

"Be at ease I'm studying for the written test, for the practical I won't be taking any lessons during this flight".

Then he asked about the Inter/Parma match. Just before turning off the lights he called Franco Baldini of A.C. Roma to know how the negotiations were going. A second call was made late in the afternoon to let them know there were no after-thoughts and that he feels "giallorosso" to all effects. Mr. Baldini will be visiting Buenos Aires between Friday and Saturday to collect Bati's signature.

It's l:00 p.m. in Italy, of all the things Batistuta said during the flight, he only admited to:

"The deal with Roma is a fact, there's only a few details to sort out. When there is a transfer such as this, there's a lot of details you have to work on, like image rights. Precisely this is the one we are working on. The rest, 'an open book'".

He smiled and said:

"I've felt Sensi's determination to bring me to Roma, I've heard his project for next season and I'm convinced it's a sound one. No one can guarantee you'll be winning a championship so you have to rely on the projects. The one's from Roma and Inter convinced me. I've seen and heard everyone's proposal, not only one president. I've talked with Capello. I have to say that Sensi was the one with the most chances to bring this transfer to a reality".

Then you will be the best paid soccer player in the world, how do you feel about this?
"I don't dislike money, but my first thought were for the validity of the project and the motivation I'll be able to find there, these last ones were the ones that convinced me. An offer such as this one tells you that they will go to any length to have you. A player that scored twenty three goals a championship is open to a range of proposals. Otherwise everyone would be able to buy him".

What will Roma do?
"With the arrival of Capello, Roma's began to change it's mentality, Roma today is a good team. With the other players Sensi will be buying and myself, I think we could be fighting for the "scudetto'. It's my dream to win the Italian Championship".

All those millions of dollars for a 31 year old?
"I'll tell you this, a team that's investing for the future will not buy Batistuta. Batistuta will be bought by that team that want to win something in the immediate future. I still have a lot to give. Don't forget that without scoring a single penalty shot, I've done better that many 22 or 23 year olds".

Capello is a coach who is accustomed to working with star players.
"He has always obtained good results. But let me tell you, I don't need a specialist, I'm very easy to work with".

Montella said that he won't surrender the number 9 shirt.
Bati smiled and said: "First we sign, then we fight".

What about playing alongside Totti?
"First tell me what happened in New York. Did Sensi authorize the players departure? Is this true? What's the problem?"

Well, you seem inclined toward Moratti's offer. So you think Roma could offer the same now that Inter will be playing the Champions League?
"I've always been in good terms with Inter's president, Inter is a very good team. And even now, in theory all venues a still open".

But Roma has treated you as someone very special.
"That's true. Roma has treated me as someone unique, the others as a great acquisition. There was also an approach from Manchester but the sensation I felt during my conversations with Sensi and Baldini were very strong".

What about Lazio?
"It was a possibility some time back".

Lazio wanted you to go to Inter so they could buy Vieri and let Salas go, or buy Crespo from Parma. All this a project inspired by Mascardi.
"Lets say this, if Lazio thought of using me in their games it back fired".

Veron has said he would leave Lazio if you join the team.
"My wife told me about this. It's incredible. But as you can see that's not going to happen. I think this has been a misunderstanding".

That's what he said. How is your rapport with Veron?
"As I've said, this is all a misunderstanding. The rapport between Veron and I has been always crystal clear. If there were any kind of problems I would have confronted them. I've never done it because there was no reason for it".

Will you talk about this with him?
"No, I've already forgotten about it. It's impossible to think that a team-mate of the National Team whose going to be living in close quarters with you for the next two months and working on a project of two years in preparation for the World Cup will say something like that. What ever he said, he must have been miscontrued".

Batistuta, you have left Fiorentina in tears, and now Rui costa wants to leave....
"Yes, yes, don't make me talk. If I do there will be even more problems. I want to leave quietly. I'll always be a Fiorentina fan, this nobody should forget. I'll not close my house in Firenze, it's an ideal place to live. Live is on thing, work is another".

What is Firenze lacking?"
"It lacks enthusiasm. There's so many things going wrong, that at the end it's like being brought down by an avalanche. I couldn't stay in a place where nothing was certain and knowing that winning something would be almost impossible. Because of all this I asked to be let go".

Will you take a penalty kick against Fiorentina?
"I don't even kick them now, imagine doing it against Fiorentina. I will never be able to celebrate a goal against Fiorentina, never. I would love to receive their applause when I return. If this happens it will mean that all I gave to the team through the years had meaning".

Sensini sitting here next to you would be your adversary in the derby. And Balbo would be back in Roma.
"There's competition and there's friendship". Then joking he added: "They better stop buying and doing what they've done in Santa Fe. Balbo and Sensini have bought all the land around my property. Now for you to enter Reconquista you have to ask for their permission. They have founded a 'feudo'. Now, seriously, they are both the best".

Is it true you have seen Balbo's house in Rome?
Yes, I've seen it, it's beautiful.

What about yours?
Smiling he said: "I have to sign first".