http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun22c.html
Sunday 22 June, 2003
Gabriel Omar Batistuta has written an open letter to his fans and
reveals the reasons he chose to end his career in Qatar.
"I want to leave the pressures of this long career behind me," said
the 34-year-old.
"From now on I just want to play football, enjoy myself and be paid
handsomely for it."
Batistuta's interview with newspaper 'Ole' in his homeland Argentina
reads like a farewell to his many fans around the globe.
The switch to Qatar was a surprise, as when his contract expired with
Roma the striker had planned a final swansong in the Premiership.
No real offers came in from Chelsea and Fulham, so the veteran is
spending his holidays in Dubai.
"I haven't actually signed anything yet," he revealed, "but it is very
likely that I'll be playing in Qatar."
Batigol's peak years were spent in Serie A with Fiorentina, Roma and
Inter. However, even clubs could not reunite him with international
rival Hernan Crespo.
"It's just incredible," he laughed, "that I join Inter and still can't
get a game alongside Crespo. We were always injured at different times
and it never happened. Evidently it was fate."
There was controversy during the 2002 World Cup when tactician Marcelo
Bielsa refused to field the striking pair together.
"It's a shame as we have mutual respect for one another and were curious
to see this partnership in action. I also have great respect for Hector
Cuper," he added, "a great Coach and a wonderful person."
The last two seasons saw Batistuta's stunning record lose some of its
sheen with some disappointing performances.
"In the 2001-02 campaign I paid the price for a knee injury that had
already caused worries during the Roma Scudetto-winning season," he
revealed.
"In my last year I started well, but then Fabio Capello changed his
tactics and mainly left me on the bench."
The January loan switch to Inter was a surprise to many, but he failed
to make an impact at the San Siro.
"I just had time to get settled in when I sprained my ankle and lost
the last few weeks of the campaign."
For a striker so often named among the greatest of the 1990's, Batistuta's
CV boasts precious few major trophies.
"I always wanted to play in a great team, regardless of the name,"
insisted the ex-Viola hero.
"I am proud of my nine years at Fiorentina, and of the 1996 Coppa Italia.
That night the team returned to Florence and 40,000 people packed into
the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 3am to welcome us back."
"I tasted glory in the Scudetto victory with Roma, a club that has only
ever won three Serie A titles. I am certainly satisfied with my career."
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只希望你去卡達能重新找回快樂與自信...祝你幸福 !
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