Di Natale statistics still striking at 37

On 24 November Antonio Di Natale marked his 400th Serie A appearance by becoming just the seventh player to pass the 200-goal mark in Italy's top flight. Currently in his 11th season with Udinese Calcio, the 37-year-old forward – the division's leading marksman in 2009/10 and 2010/11 – is continuing to shine at the Stadio Friuli with eight goals already this term. "I will go on as long as my motivation and body sustain me," he promised UEFA.com.

UEFA.com: With Francesco Totti, Andrea Pirlo, Gianluigi Buffon and Luca Toni still excelling in Serie A, you are in good company with regard to the older campaigners.

Antonio Di Natale: I joked with Toni after his 300th goal that if old-timers like us are scoring so regularly, something is going wrong! Joking apart, I think young players in Italy struggle because clubs prefer more experienced players. However, I am optimistic for the future because there are players like [Simone] Zaza, [Domenico] Berardi, [Mattia] Destro, [Manolo] Gabbiadini and others who are proving to be very good forwards. We need to work more on young players in Italy and have more courage with them.

UEFA.com: You are seventh in the Serie A all-time scoring chart with 201 goals, closing on Roberto Baggio's 205, with José Altafini and Giuseppe Meazza not far ahead on 216. How important are these kind of milestones?

Di Natale: I was very motivated to reach the 200-goal landmark and now I am focused on 205 because catching a legend like Baggio would be a source of great pride. Milestones and new targets are crucial for your motivation. If you do not have them at my age, it is difficult to go on. I am not thinking about 216 – I take it one step at a time. Let's see if I reach 205.

UEFA.com: Totti is way ahead of you with 237 goals. Who is hanging up their boots first, and have you discussed it with him?

Di Natale: I don't know. At our age it is difficult to plan a retirement when you are still eager to play and have your body support you. You take one season at a time. Personally speaking, I will go on as long as I wake up in the morning wanting to train.

UEFA.com: It is a difficult job with so many goals to choose from, but can you select your best three?

Di Natale: Certainly the one I scored against Reggina – there was a long ball from [Gaetano] D'Agostino and it was not easy to control and shoot as quickly as I did. Then I remember a goal against Chievo, a left-footed volley, and finally a lob against Morgan De Sanctis in a match against Napoli.

UEFA.com: Do you have any regrets about your career? 

Di Natale: I have no regrets because I decided to stay in Udine and commit myself to this town and this club. I am very proud of the goals I've scored for a team like Udinese, a team with less economic power than other teams from big cities. Avoiding relegation every year is like winning the Scudetto for Udinese and we were very proud when we managed to qualify for Europe ahead of sides with big budgets who were built to win in Italy.

UEFA.com: Your current coach Andrea Stramaccioni is only one year older than you. Is that strange?

Di Natale: Our coach is young but has a great personality. He knows how to talk with both young players and seasoned pros. This is the most important thing, not his age.

UEFA.com: Last season you hinted that you wanted to retire. Why did you change your mind, and will you be back next season?

Di Natale: I live day to day. I will consider my future only when I realise I am not the same player any more. I am focused only on helping Udinese achieve safety as quickly as possible and then trying to disturb the teams aiming for European qualification.

UEFA.com: You scored 11 goals in 42 games for Italy. What is your best memory with the Azzurri?

Di Natale: The match against Spain at UEFA EURO 2012 [the 1-1 group stage draw] when I scored to give us the lead against a great team. We could have won that trophy but Spain were the best side in the world and they beat us in the final.