Gabriel Batistuta was in tears when he confessed “I felt awful when I went to Roma” after he was made an honorary citizen of Florence on Monday.

Batigol scored 207 goals in just 322 appearances for Fiorentina between 1991 and 2000 before joining Roma at the turn of the millennium, but despite winning the Scudetto with the Giallorossi, he admitted his heart never left Tuscany.

“I felt awful when I went to Roma. There’s no comparison for this recognition,” the retired striker said at the ceremony.

Gabriel Batistuta was in tears when he confessed “I felt awful when I went to Roma” after he was made an honorary citizen of Florence on Monday.

Batigol scored 207 goals in just 322 appearances for Fiorentina between 1991 and 2000 before joining Roma at the turn of the millennium, but despite winning the Scudetto with the Giallorossi, he admitted his heart never left Tuscany.

“I felt awful when I went to Roma. There’s no comparison for this recognition,” the retired striker said at the ceremony.

“I didn’t expect it, but I wanted it because I genuinely consider myself a ‘fiorentino’ but never thought it was possible. I’m happy.

“My love for Florence is an unrequited one, I loved and I love Florence, Fiorentina and the ‘fiorentini’ and feel their love.

“I feel at home here. I felt it after playing here for only a couple of years. Wherever I went, I’d talk about this city like it was my home. It’s been almost 25 years since then.

“I was excited in all our games because I played with my heart and the responsibility of knowing that I was representing a city and fan base that were behind me.”

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