18.06.2007 14:25
Saviola announces his farewell
Roger Bogunyà
The Argentina striker confirmed at a press conference on Monday morning that he is leaving FC Barcelona when his current deal expires on 30th June.
“I’ve taken the decision to leave the club and start a new stage”. These were
Saviola’s opening words at today’s press conference but he went on to say that he was
satisfied at having done “a good job” and expressed his “enormous
gratitude” to the fans.
The fans
He told reporters,” I’ve had many experiences here and made some great
friends” and emphasised that the main thing was that, “I’ve had the support, the
affection and the unconditional appreciation of the fans”.
No regrets
However, Saviola also admitted that his situation in the club had not always gone the way he
would have liked: “There’s a bitter taste for not having things clear. The offer to
renew was an invitation for me to go [but] I’m going without resentment and forgetting the
bad things”.
Saviola also denied that he regretted staying for this final season in Barça: “I said
in January when I was playing and I’ll say again now, when I haven’t been playing so
much: I’ve always wanted to see out my contract here”.
His future
Asked about his immediate future, Saviola told us: “I still haven’t decided where
I’ll play next season. I haven’t signed anything. I’ll take a decision this week
or the following one. I was waiting for the end of the league”.
Saviola refused to rule out any possibility and insisted that he would not be letting the
Barça fans down if he eventually joined Real Madrid: “I wouldn’t betray people if I did
because I’m a professional. I wouldn’t do it out of resentment nor to hurt people,
which is the last thing I would do”.