[dukeofdavinci]

Bobo enjoys Florentine renaissance Monday 17 September, 2007

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Fiorentina veteran Christian Vieri is enjoying a renaissance in the Viola shirt and has revealed the hard journey he has undertaken.

The 34-year-old marksman popped up to head home in the Gigliati’s 2-2 draw with Atalanta last weekend and is quickly winning a place in the hearts of the Florentine public.

Between 1999 and 2005, Vieri was a superstar as his record of 103 goals in 144 games at Inter made him one of Italy’s most prolific strikers.

However, his career stalled as injury woes and personal problems took over and spells at Milan, Monaco and Sampdoria were spent largely on the sidelines.

Having relaunched his career at Atalanta last term – where he was paid the minimum wage – it was ironic that Vieri should net against the Orobici.

His wild celebration in front of the Stadio Artemio Franchi’s Curva Fiesole showed exactly how much it meant to the ex-Atletico Madrid man to have came through Purgatory.

“My injury troubles are over and I’m back at full fitness,” he grinned. “I ran every evening for 50 days and I lost 11 pounds to get ready for the season.

“I had been training alone for more than 60 days. This isn’t about anybody else. I just want to keep the goals coming.

"For two years I haven’t been training properly and to work this hard at the age of 34 is tough. I want to become a true player again.”

bobo enjoying his goal