Antonio Di Natale is now 37 and targeting Roberto Baggio’s Serie A goals record. “Football is my life.”
Antonio Di Natale is now 37 and targeting Roberto Baggio’s Serie A goals record. “Football is my life.”
The striker celebrated his birthday on Monday and remains the most consistently prolific player in Italy, one of the best in Europe, with 124 Serie A goals in his last 178 appearances.
“Football is my life, as without motivation at my age it’d be tough to keep up with the youngsters,” Totò told reporters.
“I still feel the tension before a game and that allows me to find my concentration. The effect of the adrenaline is still a strong buzz.
“My objective is to score 200 Serie A goals and after that to beat Roberto Baggio’s record of 205.”
Di Natale currently has 197 Serie A strikes in his career, four already this term.
“Udine is my home now and the patron Pozzo is like a second father. He always has a good word for me and is close by during difficult moments. The satisfactions we’ve achieved together cemented a rapport that goes beyond football.
“I could’ve left Udine at any moment of my career. Nobody forced me to stay here, so if I did it’s because I always believed in this club.”
Di Natale had announced his retirement last season, but changed his mind and now isn’t sure when he’ll hang up his boots.
“A new stadium is being built and I’d like to be there the day it is inaugurated. I’m taking it one day at a time. I can say that after retirement I’d like to stay in the football world, maybe as a Coach.”