"I will never say NO to the National Team"
Date: Sept 16th, 1999
The idol of Florence, Gabriel Batistuta said that he does not pick the matches nor the championships where he will play.
He said that the people of Argentina love him because he always gave his best to the 'white and blue'. He believes that he could play along side Crespo. He thinks he'll play until 2003.
The taxi travelled toward the Artemio Franchi Stadium, where Fiorentina is training. No one told the taxi-driver why we were in Florence, so it was a surprise when he said: "In "Firenze" first Batistuta, then God and then we Fiorentines". Sounds incredible that a city so culturally rich has been subjugated for almost a decade under the charisma of a one god of the ball name Batistuta. Even those who at
first were horrorized when Batistuta was called one of Florence illustrious citizen along side with Dante, Donatello, Maquiavelo, Botticelli & Cellini, today are the first to buy the tickets to watch "Firenze's" most beloved son. The one answering to the name Gabriel Omar Batistuta. The one that for many heretics comes even before God. For them Batistuta is 'sacred'. Batistuta is Fiorentina's hope for them
to do the 'olympic-run'. Batistuta is the mirror where all Fiorentine youth look up to.
This 'idolized' Bati talks with "Clarin" in a relax atmosphere, ready to talk on a variety of themes.
Here then, Batistuta's words.
Will Fiorentina be able...
"The two first rounds in the Champions League we will pass surely (they tie 0/0 with Arsenal on Tuesday). Then anything could happen. Even the best team could be left out. In Serie A we will fight for the "scudeto" till the end. This is a good Fiorentina, stronger than last year. I'm not a hundred percent fit yet, but I'm positive we could do well in both championships".
"Well I hope the injuries and the wounds to my head and hand are product of chance. People say is Edmundo's doing? (the ex-viola who was at odds with him) I don't believe in "macumbas" evil-eye, vodoo etc. I'm catholic, I believe in God. I do not do wrong to anyone. Why will anyone do wrong to me?".
This fixed idea...
"I didn't see the matches between Argentina and Brazil. I only saw the goals. I know that in Argentina the National Team played very well but not as well in Brazil. (he smiles) Bielsa and I talked before he
started calling players. I told him I was not at my best physically. Having this in mind Bielsa decided not to call me. But you could be sure that every time he calls me, I'll be there. I've been playing for
the National Team for eight years, I was there every time I was asked. Not giving any thoughts what-so-ever to whom we'll be playing against. I'm not one who will select with whom to play against nor in what championship I'll be playing. I've said YES to all the callings. I'll never say NO to the National Team. The people in Argentina love me because they know I always gave the best to the 'white and blue'. The National Team is top, top priority for me".
Pending balance...
"In World Cup 94 I thought we could end being the winners. Many were the ones who thought this way too. The way things were moving it seems we will be in the finals without much trouble. In France we would have had to work harder than in U.S. where Maradona was part of the team, to get to the finals. If this new National Team is better than the one preceding it, only time and results will tell".
"Since Diego, no Argentine player has astonished me. There's no continuity. There's a lot of players that play well in Argentina and then failed when abroad and vice-versa. Don't get me wrong, there are very good players but none that could do what Maradona was able to do in a pitch. I like Ortega very much. There's a lot of Italians that do not like the way he plays because he keeps the ball too long. But Ariel has changed. He runs more, he sacrificies a lot for the team, his passes are good. Redondo is a great player".
Pressure--Italian style...
"In Italy you live under stress every day of the week. This does not happen in any other country. In Spain you play Sunday morning and by Sunday night everything is forgotten. In England when the match finishes everything is finished. If you could get accustomed to playing in Italy you will be able to play anywhere. Is Italy the NBA of soccer? Yes, it is the NBA of soccer, because of the quality of the soccer play, for its players, for the money and for all that surrounds the "calcio". Some time back I didn't go to England because of this. Here the futbol is more demanding. But after all this I have to tell you that, when you don't have this you feel you are missing something".
Coaches and their books...
"I've had a lot of coaches, could not say with whom I felt better. Your game depends on your teammates. I was at ease with Malesani. With Trap, I'm doing fine. I like to play offensively. We have to attack always. I always play the same way. Then there is what the other ten will do. Playing with Maradona is something different as to playing without him".
Game rules....
"In Argentina half of the press likes me, the other half is against me. Anything to sell their stories. These are the press rules and I accept them like it or not. But one thing is true, in Argentina the press does not help you in getting to the top, but they surely want to 'topple you over' when you are up there".
In Florence, like our taxi-driver, many Fiorentines wants Bati to be seated in a throne next to Saint Filippo Neri (the city saint). Passion has no limits, not even in the cultural city of "Firenze". The
"Firenze" of Dante, Donatello, Botticelli, Cellini and Batistuta.
Bati, for a long time there has been this 'to-do' about you being able to play along side Crespo. Can
you?
"You are asking if two 9 could play at the same time for the National Team? It depends on the
players, if they are willing to sacrifice. In Milan they play with three 9 (Bierhoff, Weah & Shevchenko). Did Crespo say that we can not play together? I'm not in Crespo's head. If you are a center-forward and do not want to go to the sides, surely it will not be possible. But if you are willing to sacrifice, surely two 9 will very well play together".
In the match in Holland, what did Bielsa asked you todo?
"He didn't ask anything directly to me. I know I have to play like that night. I ran a lot, I felt terribly tired but it's the best match I've played with this team".
What about the skill of the Argentine player?
"We have to mantain that skill level, but we have to add other things. Many people say: "The Argentine player has only to play, not to run, with our skill will win". That is no longer true. We have to
realize that many times we have thought to be on top but at the end everyone passes us by. The Italians want our skill but no the rest. The Argentines do nothing to add to their skill".
"What will come"
"In futbol nothing is certain. I know I'll play until 2003", said Batistuta when he talks about the future.
"I would have loved to play in three teams: the 'Inter' of two years back, the 'Manchester United' and
the 'Real Madrid'. I know that Fiorentina always receive offers for me. I personally have contacts
with very important teams, but as time passes the opportunites will be less. It's a matter of age. If I don't move now to one of the big ones in Europe, with the passing of the years it will be more difficult. But surely, Yes, I will like to play some time in another team. Many times that thought have crossed my mind. Many times I've asked myself what would I have done if it would have happened. But I
also know that if I left, it will be impossible for me to return to Florence".
Do you see yourself ending your career in Argentina?
"Everytime I read the things that are happening back home, and I see all the violence, the idea of not
playing in Argentina grows stronger. Here I see the stadium fill with young boys and girls, with whole
familys, then I think of my country and the things that are happening in some matches. Sometimes even
the players have to hide to be able to get out of the stadiums... I'll tell you once again: It's almost
impossible that I'll play in Argentina again".
By: Gustavo Londeix
Source: Clarin
Translated by: Mari
Alone with Batistuta in Florence in an exclusive interview for "Clarin"
Injuries...pure chance
Diego and what else...