Fiorentina supporters had understood for some time that midfielder Milan Badelj was out of contract this summer, and it was likely he would move on to seek a new challenge. His former agent Dejan Joksimovic had caused controversy in the past with his comments as he relentlessly tried to push through a move to AC Milan for the Croatian international.
While Badelj replaced Joksimovic with Alessandro Lucci following an incessant campaign in the media from his former representative, it appeared that the outcome would remain the same. However, the death of Davide Astori and the installation of Badelj as Captain following that tragic incident seemed to have swayed the 29-year-old as he considered signing a new deal with the club after the current campaign ended.
Yet it was not to be, as on Monday Fiorentina sporting director Pantaleo Corvino announced the news that Badelj had rejected the four-year contract that was on offer, insisting his decision was not down to money. It is a wrench for the Viola to lose a long-serving and experienced player among a side made up of new arrivals and youngsters,
however an open letter from the player on Tuesday morning did well to explain the player’s intentions.
“There are not always easy choices in life, even when they seem to be,” wrote Badelj in a dedication published on the club’s official website. “In reality each of us is different and those who know me know that I am a person who always tries to go the extra step. Maybe I'm wrong but now I would like to try to go further, leaving the place that I consider my home, a place where I found serenity, balance and happiness: in a word it is a place of 'stability'.
“But then I have to deal with the reality: the life of a player is not very long and I
unfortunately I'm not ready to devote myself to Fiorentina forever: I still have the desire and enthusiasm to test myself.
“I have so many thoughts in my mind, I would like to say so many things to each of you, to apologise and try to explain to you, as I am trying to do, because you deserve it and deserve much more for all your loyalty, passionate love and great sensitivity and privacy in times of difficulty.
“Allow me to say THANK YOU, written as big as possible: THANKS FLORENCE! They have been unforgettable moments both for good and for bad but we have always done it together and this makes me proud and makes me feel part of YOU.
“I would also like to say thank you to all the people who have always been close to me, to all my former coaches alongside their staff, all the former players with whom I was celebrating under the Viola Curva and thanks to everyone I came out on the pitch, with heads down after the defeats, but always with a desire to raise them.
“But let me say a special thank you to my friends this year, without having to explain why .......
“I would like to say thanks to the medical staff working in the background, for all that they have done ... to the backroom staff who care about us as if we were their children... to a club that believed in me and allowed me to play in Serie A, to all the people I met even for a short time. I’m sorry if I forgot someone ... it's not easy at times to be clear and express everything you feel but one thing I'm sure of is the years spent with all of you made me grow as a man.
“Thanks for all the affection,
“Milan Badelj.”
It was a letter filled with emotion and honesty, something that the supporters in Florence will truly appreciate even if disappointed to see him leave. The Croatian will be starring for his national team at the World Cup this summer, and will be an astute signing for any side wanting a player who works extremely hard to win back the ball and make the correct pass in midfield.
AC Milan are still the side rumoured to be in pole position, however there is the possibility that Badelj could move abroad if he is seeking an entirely new experience. What’s for sure is that Fiorentina wish him all the best for the future, and that he finds success in his new venture, whatever that may be.
