Cristian Ledesma said goodbye to Lazio after nine years and hinted at a move to Watford. “I’ll live in Rome in future too.”

The Argentine midfielder was awarded a jersey by one of the Curva Nord ultras, who stated “this is the proof that even those who are not born Laziale can become it. This shirt proves you are one of us.”

An emotional Ledesma took the microphone and thanked the Biancocelesti for “nine wonderful years. I won’t say my time in the city is over, because I’ll live in Rome in future too.

Cristian Ledesma said goodbye to Lazio after nine years and hinted at a move to Watford. “I’ll live in Rome in future too.”

The Argentine midfielder was awarded a jersey by one of the Curva Nord ultras, who stated “this is the proof that even those who are not born Laziale can become it. This shirt proves you are one of us.”

An emotional Ledesma took the microphone and thanked the Biancocelesti for “nine wonderful years. I won’t say my time in the city is over, because I’ll live in Rome in future too.

“I don’t want to think that it is over. The most important thing is these nine intense years and experiencing them here is like double anywhere else. The greatest victory was getting to know all these people.

“When fans say they admire me as a person, that’s a triumph. It’s better than the goal in the derby or winning the Coppa Italia.

“I told President Lotito today that I couldn’t handle another season like this. I want to play and miss the field. He understood, said how much he respects me and allowed me to leave after 318 games.

“My fondest memory was walking out of the tunnel for the game with Real Madrid. My mind went back to when my father couldn’t afford shin pads or boots, so the Coach would buy them for me.

“My dream was to end my career at Lazio and then become a Coach here at youth level. Maybe that could still happen, one day.

“I tell my wife that you can always tell a Romanista. I learned Laziali are diffident at the beginning, but once they’ve understood who you are, they give you everything, above all in the dark moments. They know how to suffer and how to earn their success.”

Ledesma is likely to go abroad, but offers from Atlas and China have reportedly been turned down, as he’s more inclined towards Watford.

“It would be very hard to see myself in another Italian city or jersey. It’s not impossible, but for the moment there’s nothing. I’d like to have an experience abroad, as I think it’d help my children to grow.”

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