Fabio Quagliarella choked back tears as he spoke about equalling Gabriel Batistuta’s record on the eve of his 36th birthday. “I never thought this could happen.”

He converted two penalties for Sampdoria this evening, meaning he has found the net in each of his last 11 Serie A games, something only Batistuta had ever achieved for Fiorentina in 1994.

Fabio Quagliarella choked back tears as he spoke about equalling Gabriel Batistuta’s record on the eve of his 36th birthday. “I never thought this could happen.”

He converted two penalties for Sampdoria this evening, meaning he has found the net in each of his last 11 Serie A games, something only Batistuta had ever achieved for Fiorentina in 1994.

“It’s unthinkable. I get emotional, because just to be able to imagine something like that. Just naming Batistuta gives me goosebumps,” a clearly choked-up Quagliarella told Sky Sport Italia.

“On the first goal, I had half a celebration, just for the record, because I always show respect towards my former fans and Udinese are among them.

“I am speechless too, believe me! This is my life,” he said while choking back tears.

“I’ll be 36 in a few days, so this makes me so proud. All that happened in the past and all these sacrifices led to this, something I never thought could happen.

“I always thought with every game that the run would be interrupted, surely, but it kept going.”

Italy Coach Roberto Mancini was in the stands for today’s 4-0 victory over Udinese, so was Quagliagol being observed?

“I saw some saying Quagliarella in the Nazionale, but Mancini has to put faith in the youth, otherwise the country will never grow. Mancini knows what he’s doing. I just have to do well for Sampdoria.

“My next ambition is just to reach the next game and enjoy football. I don’t go out there to score goals, as I am just as happy if I provide an assist for a teammate. Honest.”

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