Christian Vieri has admitted that missing Italy's victorious World Cup campaign in 2006 ranks as the biggest disappointment of his career.
The former Azzurri hitman saw his hopes of reaching a third straight World Cup shattered by an injury while playing for French Ligue 1 side Monaco.
"In 2006, I missed the World Cup due to injury, so I couldn't watch any of Italy's games,” Vieri considered to the Gazzetta dello Sport.
Christian Vieri has admitted that missing Italy's victorious World Cup campaign in 2006 ranks as the biggest disappointment of his career.
The former Azzurri hitman saw his hopes of reaching a third straight World Cup shattered by an injury while playing for French Ligue 1 side Monaco.
"In 2006, I missed the World Cup due to injury, so I couldn't watch any of Italy's games,” Vieri considered to the Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I'd say that I struggled in the years after that. I scored nine goals at the World Cup and lost the dream of a lifetime.
“But in my heart, I rejoiced with all the guys, who had always been teammates of mine for the Azzurri. It was our generation's time.
“We had played together from the age of 17 and were European champions with the Under-21s.
“Of course, that night in Berlin was perfect, the only thing missing was myself… That generation was the strongest Italy ever had, together with that of 1982. We won in 2006, but perhaps we had peaked in 2002.
“My heart almost burst when Cesare Maldini, a second father to me, called me into the Under-21s. Before every match, I'd go to the bathroom and cry to release my joy and tension. For me, representing my country was the most exciting thing.
“I spat blood for the national team and came back in pieces after each match. I didn't acknowledge any other way to approach certain games.”
Vieri also reserved praise for his former Juventus teammate Antonio Conte, comparing the Italy Coach to the legendary Marcello Lippi.
However, he attacked La Nazionale's current crop of players for undervaluing the honour of representing their country.
“Conte is the best young Coach in Europe. He's from the school of Juve: serious, meticulous, charismatic and a great work culture. He reminds me of Lippi.
“Unfortunately, there is little quality [at his disposal]. We must begin to seriously invest in academies. They would serve coaches appropriately.
“To those who even pull a leg back, I would not even enter Coverciano again. Do I want to give advice to Balotelli? No.”
Christian ‘Bobo’ Vieri is my All-Time favorite Azzurri Goal-Striker ! He was the Best of the Best who deserved the FIFA World-Cup 2002 in his Hands.