Born-Again Christian

Apr 20 2008 By Gavin Berry In Florence

Superstar Vieri Used To Play The Field But All He Wants Now Is To Play The Game After Moving In With Mum Rangers V Fiorentina Uefa Cup Semi-Final, 1st Leg Thursday, Kick-Off 7.45pm, Live Stv

CHRISTIAN VIERI was once the man who had it all. A nose for goal made him the world's most expensive footballer and an eye for a supermodel kept him busy off the park as he enjoyed fame to the full.

Now 269 career goals, 49 caps for Italy and 13 clubs later, life has come full circle for the man named in Pele's 100 top players of all time.

After nearly two decades on the road earning his reputation as a football superstar Vieri is now back living with his MUM in a farmhouse in a remote part of Italy.

He might still have the keys to a fancy Porsche but these days he travels to Fiorentina training by rail from his home in Prato just outside Florence.

It's changed days for Vieri who always had a Playboy image particularly when he plied his trade in Milan and took full advantage of the city's bustling nightlife.

At one stage the striker boasted more glamorous girls than a catwalk but now he'd much rather stay at home making olive oil - his new hobby - than hit a disco.

Vieri is a reformed character and it's largely down to his new partner Melissa. But the other woman in his life - proud mother Natalie - has helped him most.

When Vieri arrived to speak to Mail Sport in Florence ahead of this week's UEFA Cup semi-final first leg at Ibrox he looked like the same imposing figure who has terrorised defences for years.

But it soon became clear this is a different person from the guy who left Lazio to join Inter Milan for £32million nine years ago.

And he believes he's better for it - a warning to Rangers the hitman shouldn't be taken lightly despite his softer lifestyle.

Vieri said: "It's strange but after 20 years away I'm now back living with my mum. And I'm nearly 35!

"But it's really nice. I get the train into work and enjoy it. I needed to take it easy for a year and just enjoy life and football.

"It's working because I feel as good and fit as ever. At Fiorentina you train hard, there's a lot of discipline and that's the key. Nobody in Europe trains as hard as us, it's unbelievable how much we work.

"When you play well you feel good. That's important. I didn't play for a year with injury so really had to train intensely this year and I'm happy.

"I'm also enjoying my football because at one point after the second operation on my cartilage I didn't think I would play again.

"But thankfully I haven't had anymore problems, I train every day and am having fun.

"I'll have another two or three years then quit. My contract is up in summer but we haven't spoken about it yet, we'll see what happens this season. Could I move to Scotland? I don't think so, it's always too cold."

Vieri is regarded as one of his country's greatest strikers and football anoraks will be fascinated to learn he has scored the most headers in Italian football history.

Carlos Cuellar and Davie Weir would do well to heed that warning before he runs out at Ibrox.

Now 11 years after playing in the Champions League Final for Juventus against Borussia Dortmund, Vieri is just 180 minutes away from another European showpiece.

His concern though is that while he has vast experience at this level his team-mates don't.

And that's why he insists Rangers are under most pressure despite the SPL side contesting their first European semi for 36 years.

Vieri - nicknamed Bobo in reference to his dad Bob - said: "We have nothing to lose - the pressure is all on Rangers because nobody was expecting us to reach the quarters or semis.

"Rangers were in the Champions League and have been playing European football longer than Fiorentina.

"They are used to playing in big competitions and have more experience than us in Europe because we're only a young side.

"I have played in big occasions throughout my career but a lot of my colleagues haven't and it's good for them to go outside of Italy in front of huge crowds against important teams.

"They're benefiting from every game. For example, away to PSV in the last round we could have scored seven or eight.

"I can give the kids advice but only they can dictate how they perform on the night. However, what they lack in experience they make up for with character.

"We're doing well this season. We're fourth in Serie A where there are a lot of strong sides but anything can happen in these two games against Rangers.

"We have to fully focus because I think Rangers will try to score a couple of goals on Thursday.

"But we also want to put pressure on for the full 90 minutes, score and try to reach the final.

"We're doing well in the UEFA Cup and giving it 100 per cent.

"I know Rangers are a top side who are used to important games and it will be difficult.

"I watched highlights of their defeat in the midweek Old Firm derby so they'll want to beat us in front of their own fans. It's going to be an exciting game."

Vieri has sampled the Glasgow atmosphere just once. He played for the Azzurri against Walter Smith's Scotland in a World Cup qualifier in 2005 - and missed a great chance in the 1-1 draw.

The big man said: "It was nice to play in front of the Scottish fans because they create a great atmosphere.

"Kenny Miller stands out from that game because he scored but there were a couple of Rangers players in the team like Barry Ferguson and David Weir.

"Whenever you play in Britain it's always tough with their fans making plenty of noise.

"That happened when we played Everton in the last 16. We lost 2-0 at Goodison Park and I believe it will be the same sort of game this week.

"Rangers will try to score and with the crowd behind them they play a faster game."