Tickets
Shop
The Re Leone, who helped Roma win their third Scudetto, played for the Giallorossi between 2000 and 2003, making 87 appearances and scoring 33 goals.
Welcomed by Claudio Ranieri and Vincent Candela, the former Argentina striker greeted sporting director Frederic Massara, coach Gian Piero Gasperini and the team's players. “This training centre has changed so much - it’s just amazing,” Batigol declared.
How long has it been since your last visit?
“I haven't been to Trigoria since I left the club in January 2003 to join Inter. 23 years have gone by - that’s a long time. It's always nice to return to a place where you've had a good time, and I'm happy to see old friends again.”
One of them is Claudio Ranieri, who was your coach when you won the 1996 Italian Super Cup.
“Fiorentina 2-1 Milan at San Siro - I scored a brace and we lifted the trophy. It was the match where I said into the camera, ‘Irina, I love you.’”
You then went on to win the Super Cup with Roma as well, in 2001…
“It was actually against Fiorentina in the final, but we were the better side. We won 3-0, and Vincent Candela opened the scoring with a great shot from outside the box.”
What did your time at Roma mean to you?
“I had a lot of fun here and reaped the rewards of a long career – I managed to win a historic Scudetto for myself and for Roma. We picked up 75 points and I scored 20 goals. The city exploded with joy – it was a hugely satisfying.”
What memories do you have of that team and your team-mates?
“We were a top group of players. There was me, Francesco Totti, Cafu, Walter Samuel, Emerson, Vincenzo Montella, this fella next to me (Candela, ed.) and Marco Delvecchio, to name but a few. We were top of the league for practically the entire season and we sealed it at home, in front of our fans, on what was an unforgettable day.”
What moment stands out from that season?
“There are many, but I’ll go for the brace I scored against Parma in the last match of the first half of the season. We came from behind to win a game we dominated but we were unlucky in some incidents. That's when we realised we could do it.”
You wore number 18 back then, the same as the shirt you received from the club today…
“It was my number from my first year here at Roma, the one in which we won Serie A.”
What do you make of the current Roma side?
“They play some good football. Gasperini has stamped his personality on the team and has given it an attacking mentality. I'll come and watch a match at the Olimpico as soon as I can.”
So, we’ll see each other soon, then!
“I should be back in Rome in May, maybe in time for the second derby of the season. We'll see. In the meantime, I'm just happy to be here today. Greetings to all the Roma fans – they’ve always been so lovely with me.”
Imperium Partners
Centurion Partners
