Date: January 28, 1998
Source: La Nacion
Translated by: Humbird
Batigol, known by all Italians as a professor of the soccer field, was invited to speak with the university students on his experiences in football and also on some other diverse themes.
There was no lack of professors attending, and among those, a professor of North American Literature and fan of Fiorentina, who has been known to arrive at class in a very bad mood on Mondays following a Fiorentina defeat.
With much gentility, Batistuta responded to every question. When asked what bothered him most about football, he responded: "I don't like that the players are not consulted when it is time to make important decisions regarding our sport."
There were questions about Ronaldo, the Brazilian star. On the possibility that some day they could play together, Bati responded: "I don't think that I will ever play at Inter. Besides I am much older than him and we can't really be compared. More than anything, for the last seven years that I have been in Florence, my dream is to win an important title for the city and the team."
"And after--what are you going to do?" asked one student. "I will return to Argentina," he answered without leaving any doubts.
The audience responded with a "NO!" but Batistuta explained, "My parents and sisters all live there, and even though I am an adult, it is difficult to be far from my family."
Florence is a city full of artistic treasures, so it was not strange that he was asked: "Between scoring two goals against Juventus, and the painting 'La Primavera,' by Botticelli, which would you choose?" Bati responded: "I enjoy seeing a beautiful painting, but I don't know how to interpret art in a profound way. I need someone to teach me." Immediately, many students offered to be his art teacher.
Another student asked: "The Italian referees, are they better or worse than others?" "Lamentably, they are equal everywhere," said the Argentine, while the students responded with applause and laughter. "I could never be a referee, because I could not tolerate the abuse and criticism. It is certain that they have a difficult job, but some make decisions based on the color of a player's uniform."
This was not the first time that an Argentine football player gave a lecture in a university hall. In October 1995, Diego Maradona spoke at the famous Oxford University, where he received an award.
Yesterday, it was Batigol's turn, an experience enriching and unforgettable.
Batistuta Gives a Lecture
Gabriel Batistuta has given many classes on how to score goals, but until now he has never had to do it in a place as distinguished as the University of Florence. The Argentine striker, by the invitation of the municipality of Tuscany, gave a lecture on football in the lecture hall of Sant'Apollonia, where he responded to all the questions of the students and said that sooner or later he would return to Argentina.