Argentine legend Batistuta gave an exclusive interview to Gazzetta dello Sport, in which he shared his thoughts on the FIFA World Cup, the Argentine team, Fiorentina, and other topics.
Legendary Argentine striker Gabriel Batistuta, who is currently in the United States watching the FIFA World Cup, discussed the Argentine team's performance at this FIFA World Cup and their prospects of winning the championship.
What has been most impressive about this Argentine team?
Batistuta: "Although these young players are already FIFA World Cup champions, when they came here, they played with the attitude of players who had never won any honors. This is very rare in the world of football."
What is Scaloni's secret to success?
Batistuta: "Under his leadership, the team atmosphere is excellent. After all, this is football, not a moon landing project; there is no need to overcomplicate things. If the coach and players have a good relationship, that is the greatest success, because everyone will be willing to implement his ideas. And Scaloni has achieved exactly that."
How can you tell?
Batistuta: "He never gets overly excited about winning, nor overly angry in the face of difficulties. Because of this, he can always keep the team united."
Lautaro or Álvarez?
Batistuta: "If a player is in great form, of course they should continue to play. But the problem is that Julián Álvarez is also exceptionally talented and a member of the FIFA World Cup-winning team. It would seem unfair to bench either of them. Ultimately, Scaloni is the one who makes the decision."
How would you evaluate this FIFA World Cup?
Batistuta: "It has been fantastic. If I had to choose my favorite part, I would pick the stadiums in New York and the pre-match ceremonies. Seeing not only the starting players, but all the players singing the national anthem together is a very moving image. And those huge national flags always get my blood pumping."
Who do you think will win the championship?
Batistuta: "For the past two years, I've been saying that the final would be Argentina against France, and I haven't changed my mind. I've also said this while commentating for Telemundo. I enjoy this job; they are very professional, and I'm having a great time enjoying this FIFA World Cup."
The French team looks stronger than before, and 'E. Martinez' may need to produce another miraculous save.
Batistuta: "Everyone remembers E. Martinez's saves, but they forget that Argentina was actually in control in the first half of the final."
How would you assess Bielsa's disappointing FIFA World Cup campaign?
Batistuta: "Even though Uruguay has been eliminated, for me, Bielsa will always be the most important coach. He taught me everything. If you evaluate a coach only by results, that's too sad and unfair, isn't it?"
This is a FIFA World Cup made for strikers: Kane, Haaland, Messi...
Batistuta: "That's right. On the first day of the FIFA World Cup, I said during Telemundo commentary that you would need at least 9 to 10 goals to win the Golden Boot, and it turns out I was right."
Of course, this is also a FIFA World Cup for goalkeepers. Like kids in the park, who often want to be either a striker or a goalkeeper, it is great to see goalkeepers from teams not considered top-tier performing exceptionally well, such as Vozinha from Cape Verde and Gill from Paraguay. That is the charm of the FIFA World Cup.
If Batistuta lived in this era, how many goals do you think he could score?
Batistuta replied with a smile: "I don't know how many goals I could have scored, but one thing is certain – with the current level of player protection in football, I could have played for at least two more years. After all, I took far too many kicks back then."
People still remember your words from back then: "I even considered amputating my ankles."
Batistuta: "Much better. I no longer have those thoughts, because I've had total ankle replacement surgery on both ankles. Now, both of my ankles have titanium alloy artificial joints, and the pain has decreased significantly."
Can you still play football with titanium ankles?
Batistuta smiled and replied: "Running is impossible, but I can still kick a football. However, now I can only kick while standing..."
What do you miss most about your playing days?
Batistuta: "Nothing. I never truly enjoyed playing football. On one hand, it was because of chronic pain; on the other, I always felt that fans paid for tickets to watch me play, so I couldn't just think about my own happiness."
"With every goal I scored, I felt a sense of responsibility; I had to give the fans the best performance. And I wasn't a naturally gifted player like Diego Maradona, born for football. Everything I have, I earned through hard work."
So, what kind of life is Batistuta leading now?
Batistuta: "For 40 years, I was very strict with myself. Now, I just want to live the rest of my life happily. Like everyone else, I don't know how much time I have left."
"I run a ranch in my hometown of Reconquista, where I raise cattle. Most of the time, others manage it for me, but sometimes I need to take care of it myself before returning to work."
"Additionally, as a member of FIFA Legends, I travel around the world to participate in events. It's a truly wonderful experience."
What does it feel like to look at Fiorentina now?
Batistuta: "I still follow Fiorentina Football Club, but my connection with the club is not as close as it once was."
"I know they have brought in Fabio Grosso as coach, and I know he has achieved good results with teams in recent years."
"Later this summer, I will return to Fiorentina to take part in the club's 100th-anniversary celebration."
Fiorentina has changed. Looking back, do you think life was easier in the past, or is it easier now?
Batistuta replied with a smile: "Don’t get me started on philosophy; I have to go..."
One last question: has Messi surpassed Maradona?
Batistuta: "Hey, didn’t you say this was a serious interview? Why are you asking such a clichéd question at the end?"
Then, he added seriously:
"Honestly, even we Argentinians have been discussing this question for a long time... but even today, we still don't have an answer."
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