Athlete

I wasn't that excited about football when I was young, but it did become my passion.

I want to broaden my horizons, speak a new language, meet new people, and experience a different culture.

My thoughts on Balotelli? He's the kind of player who infuriates me. I was not born a footballer like him. I achieved what I did because of all the hard work I put in. I had to make sacrifices.

I am fascinated by English football.

From my playing experience in Qatar, I know that it is a country and a region which will host a spectacular and passionate World Cup in 2022.

It is a great pleasure for me to take on this important role as bid ambassador for the Qatar 2022 Bid, which I believe represents an essential expansion of the FIFA ideals to a new part of the world.

The Islamic culture is a question mark for many people across the world, but Qatar opens its doors to supporters all over the world so they can learn from this old culture.

I left football, and overnight, I couldn't walk. I wet the bed even though the bathroom was only three meters away. It was 4 A.M., and I knew if I stood, my ankle would kill me.

Although I have never won a major trophy, I consider myself a winner because I helped Fiorentina to compete with the big boys.

Messi, even if technically is same or more, he doesn't have more charisma than Maradona had.

I know perfectly well that in football, you have good times, and you have bad times.

It goes without saying that I love the game, the tactics, the training, and everything that happens on the pitch.

I'm playing for the team. If I've got four goals, it's because the team are playing well.

Messi is a winner.

It's fun to have wingers that cross the ball for you, but when two intelligent No. 9s play together, they understand each other better than with the wingers.

I received many offers - namely from Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Milan - but I preferred the tranquillity of playing for Fiorentina.

All the best players wanted to come to Italy.

Messi is a player who can play in any team.

I could have become an E.U. player if I'd wanted to, but I am, and prefer to remain, Argentine.

Looking from the outside at English football, at Spanish football, it's more interesting, and they have the champions and the celebrities that they want to see. But with the passion that Italians have for football, the pride that they have, I don't think the game will stay that way.