Serie A icon Gabriel Omar Batistuta has candidly admitted that he “didn’t enjoy playing football” and still has “no answer” regarding the ongoing Messi-Maradona debate.
In a recent interview with Gazzetta, the former Fiorentina, Roma, and Inter player discussed Argentina’s World Cup journey along with insights from his football career.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni, a former defender with Atalanta and Lazio, previously led Argentina to World Cup victory four years ago, keeping the defending champions among the favorites for this summer’s tournament.
Batistuta: “Italians Can’t Talk About Easy Matches”
“The team is happy with Scaloni,” Batistuta stated in the interview.
“Let’s face it: this is football; it’s not rocket science. A good relationship between the manager and the players is essential, and Scaloni has achieved that.”
As Argentina prepares to face Cape Verde in the Round of 32 shortly, Batistuta expressed mixed feelings on whether he believes his compatriots will advance easily.
“Let’s not get carried away… You Italians can’t comment on easy matches,” he joked.
“Honestly, I’m confident but not complacent. The group stage is different from knockout rounds; the stakes are much higher. Football is unpredictable—sometimes the ball hits the post, and you just don’t know what will happen next.”
When reflecting on his time as a footballer, the Argentine legend revealed, “I don’t miss anything. I didn’t truly enjoy playing football; part of it was the pain, and partly because I felt like I had a responsibility to entertain the fans. Scoring felt more like a duty than a joy. Unlike Maradona, I had to earn my place.”
“I’ve been hard on myself for 40 years; now, I’m focusing on enjoying what’s left of my life,” he added.
“Like everyone, I don’t know how long this phase will last. I have cows to tend to in my hometown of Reconquista, and while I generally manage them, I do step in when needed. Plus, I enjoy traveling with FIFA Legends—it’s a great experience,” he shared.
When asked about his former club Fiorentina, he said, “I still keep an eye on them, although I feel somewhat detached these days. I’m aware they’ve brought in Fabio Grosso, who has had success recently. I plan to return to Florence for the club’s 100th-anniversary celebration later this summer.”
Finally, when questioned about his preference between Messi and Maradona, Batistuta playfully responded, “I thought this was a serious interview, not a trivial one. Honestly, we ponder that question too…. and there’s still no answer.”
Batistuta boasts an impressive record, having won the Scudetto with Roma in the 2000-01 season and netted 183 goals in 318 Serie A appearances.