Christian Vieri: I was treated like Mafia by Inter
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Former Inter Milan striker Christian Vieri has accused his former side of treating him like a Mafia at the end of his time with the club.
The 41-year-old spent six seasons with the Italian giants between 1999 and 2005, scoring 103 goals in 144 Serie A appearances.
However, the relationship soured when it emerged that the club, under the instructions of their then-President Massimo Moratti, had tailed and wiretapped Vieri.
He told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "My relationship with Moratti was special, strong, very strong.
"We spoke several times during the day - even at three in the morning, we discussed with each other on everything. He made me feel like part of a family
"In short, I was fine professionally and personally and I gave all my energy to the team. I would have killed for the Nerazzurri shirt, every day. At training I was the first to arrive and the last to leave.
"So you can understand my terrible disappointment when it emerged that I was followed and even wiretapped. Heck, these are things that you do with the Mafia."
Despite his disappointment, the former Italy international is adamant he holds no grudge against Moratti.
Vieri added: "If I met him today, I'd shake your hand and hug him too.
"I'll always be thankful to him - he bought me for my weight in gold from Lazio and allowed me to experience six wonderful years."
The 41-year-old spent six seasons with the Italian giants between 1999 and 2005, scoring 103 goals in 144 Serie A appearances.
However, the relationship soured when it emerged that the club, under the instructions of their then-President Massimo Moratti, had tailed and wiretapped Vieri.
He told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "My relationship with Moratti was special, strong, very strong.
"We spoke several times during the day - even at three in the morning, we discussed with each other on everything. He made me feel like part of a family
"In short, I was fine professionally and personally and I gave all my energy to the team. I would have killed for the Nerazzurri shirt, every day. At training I was the first to arrive and the last to leave.
"So you can understand my terrible disappointment when it emerged that I was followed and even wiretapped. Heck, these are things that you do with the Mafia."
Despite his disappointment, the former Italy international is adamant he holds no grudge against Moratti.
Vieri added: "If I met him today, I'd shake your hand and hug him too.
"I'll always be thankful to him - he bought me for my weight in gold from Lazio and allowed me to experience six wonderful years."
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