The truth is that we pushed him to his defense. Like with the note that we handed him, containing something that he was not willing to reveal. Pure speculations. But nothing serious. After that, in the openhearted conversation, Bati loosened up. Because we saw through his glance, his expression, his words and all those things that conceal his true colors, that the mask of the stiff guy who at times appears haughty is nothing but a self-defense mechanism. This is how he defends himself. Against what? Against the claims by the press and his fans to writhe themselves more or less into his life. And then he instantly closes himself off. Says no. And no.

A gray evening in Florence. The lasting threat of rain had broken on the morning of Wednesday November 3. We are at the Artemio Franchi Stadium, home of Fiorentina, where the top scorer arrives in his gray metallic Mercedes-Benz. Dark glasses, a few days' growth of beard, long highlighted hair.

Are you happy?
Why do you ask?

Because some weeks ago in Buenos Aires you said that there was no such thing as complete happiness.
And that's right. There isn't. But I don't complain either. To be here I have to do without the joy of being with my family in Reconquista. In that sense the price is high. But I have always been able to adapt very well. I can play in any part of the world. And I am not doing bad. But what's mine is mine, and I am not going to deny myself anything.

But in order not to show your weaknesses you had to build a wall around yourself.
Yes, that is true. I was almost obliged to do so, in order not to expose myself, in order not to grow weak. But basically I have not changed. I would not want to change either. I can feel moved by the little things in life.

What are those little things?
Something my children do, something my wife says, a call from my parents or from a friend, a song, a movie... Well, that what moves anyone. I am no exception. But I really get to feel a lump in my throat when I see old people doing bad. That kills me. Because a young person has possibilities to react and make up in life, but an old person that has already given everything in life does not deserve to go through any more suffering. It is sad that someone who has worked for thirty or forty years can not reap the fruits of his industry and that in the end the effort does not yield the proper reward. That aggravates me, aggravates me a lot.

Bati's eyes glimmer as he strikes his hands through his hair. During the course of the talk this would occur several times. Then instantly he regains himself and, while tearing up the note, he starts to talk about what he likes.

I do not let myself into soccer talks too much. If I have to talk, I will talk, but I spend a lot of time watching matches and analyzing tactics, games and players and it is not my favorite pastime. So talks like these appeal to me more.

There is a quote from Che Guevara that summarizes all, saying that one must toughen without losing one's tenderness.
But I will never lose my tenderness. Even though I am part of a soccer world in which you are not given anything, not even an inch, I am a very sensitive man. My life is not a soccer ball.

How is that?
I have other things to attend to as well. Soccer is an important part of my life, but it is not everything. I do not like to dramatize soccer. That is not what I intend. I can get heavily upset over a defeat, like anyone, but I am not going to walk on carrying that heavy load on my shoulders every minute of the day. I am not going rack my brains over one goal more or less.

Are you going to rack your brains over the national team?
I will keep repeating this a thousand times: the national team means an awful lot to me. I feel very strongly about that. I have never put it aside and I will never put it aside for anything. So my mind rests easily about that. It goes without saying that I have always loved to participate, regardless the stuff and nonsense that was talked at the Copa America and the rubbish that was spoken. Exactly, rubbish...

Let me propose to you the following ending to your motion picture: you will play until 2002, carry the national team through the next World Cup and after that you will retire.
We will see, but that is not a bad idea. It could be like that. The thing is that I should be doing better with the national team than at the last two World Cups. The numbers have been in my favor: in 9 matches I scored 9 goals. But that has not been enough, because individual achievements in itself did not count here. The team failed to get higher. The group ended up empty-handed. Of course in the 2002 World Cup the goal is to at least play the final.

Does it make you proud or uncomfortable to be the world's most prestigious Argentine player?
No, how could I be uncomfortable with that? Not at all. These things are not to be overlooked. And I was very content to get this acknowledgement, as it is also mentioned in Argentina. And I love my country. I have lived in Italy for eight years now, but the truth is that I am feeling more and more Argentine.

But where do you meet with most appreciation?
In Europe. Here the name Batistuta is a name of note in soccer. I am not rejected by anyone. Not just in Italy, but anywhere in Europe. In Argentina it is different. Not everyone likes me. Some people reject me. It is one thing or the other... I don't feel as acknowledged as in the European countries. But it does not affect me too much. I don't think I will ever be a national monument. I have not won matches or championships like Maradona did with Napoli. Some people can like me, others can not. I don't have a problem with that.

Are you sure you don't have a problem with it?
I am sure. I don't feel bothered by the different opinions on soccer. It bothers me least of all. I am very sure of what I can give. I am a top scorer who knows how to play soccer. I am not capable of doing what Rui Costa can or what Ortega can, but I am doing my thing.

Wouldn't you like to have the capacity that "El Burrito" is known for, to dribble past two opponents in one move?
I have never been given that and I will never be given that. I play a different type of soccer. My objective is the goal. I admit that I love watching Ortega, but it does not make me jealous.

Maradona either?
No, to be jealous of Diego is abnormal. It is all soccer. It is a delight to watch him. The feeling he has with the ball is indescribable. Seeing him play in a match or training moved me. His way of stopping, walking, passing was so much different. That is why it was such a joy to have him as a teammate in the national team.

Are you Diego's heir?
I don't think so, not yet. And I don't think their will ever be a player like him again.

Earlier you made the remark that you are a top scorer who knows how to play soccer. To be a top scorer, why is it necessary to have a well-developed sense of selfishness?
A bit of selfishness in the penalty box is good. But note that I have never been an egoist on the pitch and that I will not become one. I don't think everything revolves around me.

When the Artemio Franchi Stadium is empty, it appears larger than it actually is. Filled to capacity it holds 40.000 people. Watching the smooth, intense green pitch, it reminds one of others who went here, such as Ricardo Daniel Bertoni and Daniel Alberto Passarella. They left their traces. And one remembers them. But Bati is something different. The city, living proof of eternal history, has adopted him as a son of the earth. And he knows. But he is not burdened by the idolization of his character. The price for fame is high. He does not bathe in it. At times the fame almost gets too heavy to bear and becomes an annoyance. Then he searches a sanctuary, a space to savor in silence, a place to share without being so much in display. He is a man with the need to cherish what he has behind closed doors, where at the same time others might want to open them.

Doesn't it change you into a not so sociable person?
True, it does. I sort of locked myself up. Perhaps too much. And I ended up exaggerating things. I did not do many things that I would have liked to do, because of what people might say. And that is not a good thing to do. Therefore I try not to impose myself with more matters, appointments and obligations than I already have. For instance with the media. I don't like them invading or writhing into my private life. I draw the line there.

Did you limit yourself to not going to a mall, a movie theatre?
I have never been to a mall. To the movie theatre I go when they have already been showing the movie for some time and it is no longer a top feature, so that there isn't anybody in the room. At a restaurant I sort of have a reserved place. It becomes wearisome to be rushed and followed around. I don't feel comfortable signing and signing autographs all the time. I don't understand why people consider me so important as if I were a savior or a rescuer. I don't understand. Kids are a different story. It tickles me when a hundred kids come up to me to ask me for a picture, a signature. But I don't really care that much when three grown-ups ask me for the same. I don't know, I just feel that way.

Are you a vain type of person
Vain? I have vanity, but in a good sense, I believe. That is to say that it is not a lot and not a little. Enough, I think. The world does not revolve around Batistuta.

You already made that remark several times.
Because it is the truth. I play soccer, score goals, but I am a human being like any other.

Are you still holding on to your dream of ending your career and returning to Reconquista?
That dream is one of the things that keep me going. Returning to Reconquista is one of the most beautiful things that could happen to me. But it is not about to happen yet. I still have a few more years of contract to go with Fiorentina.

How old are your children?
Thiago is 7, Lucas is 3 and Joaquin just turned 1.

In two or three years from now Thiago will no longer be so easy to raise. He grew up in Florence. He must have his friends here. I guess you might want to start making inquiries on how to anticipate the definitive return to Argentina.
I think about that every night. And I wish this problem would not occur. Because it might become a serious problem. Therefore every time we are in Argentina I let him get in touch with everything that has to do with the country, to implement the features, the joys. With regard to the joys, we share one. He also plays soccer.

And playing with clay or hanging in trees as you did in Reconquista
No, he does not do that. He has a circle of buddies that do other types of things. I would like him to be that uninhibited again. I would like that. But as to that the customs are also different here.

Are there two Batistuta's: one on and another one off the pitch?
On the pitch I have a lot of personality. That comes very naturally to me. Without forcing anything. Off the pitch I am a tough one, which does not mean I am out looking for trouble, because I have never gotten into a fight with anyone.

What do you mean by being a tough one?
I can not express my feelings. I just can't. It is something stronger than I am. At times I would like to tell a friend that I appreciate him, that I am attached to him, but I can't. It does not come out.

Is your dad a tough one as well?
My dad never hugged me. Not because he was not a good father, because he is, but because it did not come out. He is like me. My mom, on the contrary, is different. With Thiago, for instance, we never cuddle. If I try to get close to him to touch him, his face looks annoyed as he does not like it. He is like me. I know that I should change. I am still young and I believe that I am in time. To show more of what is inside me. And not to hold things to myself so much. But it is not easy. I try to and so far it has not come to me yet. But I don't give up.

Is it frustrating for you?
It is not pleasant. I know it would be nice for others and for myself if I could express my feelings more.

The impression arises that the 30-year-old guy is trying to make himself heard. And he has the valor to expose what he is not blessed with. What he has to make an effort for. What he needs to change to become a happier person. This is a great virtue. To tell it. Almost a way of asking for help. In an environment where results and money run the show, one is not frequently faced with this type of confessions. But within this paradoxical setting, Bati also has not omitted to engage himself actively in show business.

Have you become a businessman?
I have not transformed into a businessman; what happened is that soccer has opened the door for me to undertake certain public campaigns.

Certain doors were opened for you and you have done well out of it, filling your pockets even more.
If my sole purpose were to fill my pockets I would have done more things that bring in money. But I decided not to trim my sails to every wind. I have been careful. Because it is like this: if you are not careful, the risks are immense.

Speaking of cares, do you feel cherished at Fiorentina?
Yes, I feel comfortable. Everyone knows that I like it there and that I am attached to it.

The question is related to the promotion the team can offer you. Because in eight years you have scored 150 goals, but you have not had the satisfaction of winning a season's championship in the league.
I am aware that if I had scored this number of goals in a jersey of more importance, such as that of Inter, Milan or Juve, I would have won a lot more things. More titles. But on the other hand it is also a matter of pride that I have reached this record at Fiore. Because it is clear that here I always played giving up the advantages that being part of one of the biggest and mightiest teams of Italy is attended with. Because all of us need a good team standing by to attract attention. I am not saying that Fiore is not a good team, but we do not measure up.

In his heart, what does a top scorer favor: that his team wins without him scoring, or a draw or loss but with him tearing up the nets?
When I was younger I only thought of scoring goals. But I have changed. I love to score goals, but it will not kill me if I do not score, such as happened against Torino. Because I will tell you once again: I am not an egoist. It also gives me great pleasure to see my teammates score. And I can play well without scoring goals.

In the short time that you have worked together with Marcelo Bielsa, which conclusion can you draw so far?
That we are the same.

You are the same?
Yes, Bielsa is like me. Didn't you know they say he hardly expresses himself?

A big smile appeared on his face. He stated once more that he attaches a very special place to the national team. Another long half hour has vanished. It is said that the eyes are the mirrors of the soul. It is said... For now we rediscovered a Bati throwing off his mask, or wishing to put it aside for a moment. And so he did. The top scorer in his labyrinth, and the things that go to his heart. For which this time no admission was charged.

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