Gabriel Batistuta is an Argentinian former professional football player. He is best known for playing for Fiorentina, where he made 269 appearances, scoring 167 goals. He also played for the Argentinian National Team.
Player Profile and Personal Life
Gabriel Omar Batistuta was born on February 1, 1969, in Avellaneda, Santa Fe, Argentina. His father worked in a slaughterhouse and he worked as a school secretary. He is married to Irina Fernandez whom he met when he was 16.
After he retired in 2005, Batistuta said that he suffered from severe ankle pain from overexerting himself during his professional career. He currently lives in Australia with his family.
| Position | Forward |
| Born | 1 Feb 1969 |
| Nationality |
Argentina
|
| Team History | |
| Al-Arabi SC (Qatar) | 2003 - 2004 |
Inter Milan
|
2003 (loan) |
AS Roma
|
2000 - 2003 |
Fiorentina
|
1991 - 2000 |
Boca Juniors
|
1990 - 1991 |
Club Atletico River Plate
|
1989 - 1990 |
|
Old Boys
|
1988 - 1989 |
Youth Career
Because of his height, he gravitated towards playing basketball instead football when he was a kid. But after watching the 1978 FIFA World Cup, he began playing after he was impressed by the skills of Mario Kempes.
Batistuta started his youth career playing for Newell’s Old Boys. In 1989, he was loaned to Sportivo Italiano.
Professional Career
He turned pro in 1988 when was promoted to play for Newell’s senior team. After a season with the club, he signed to play with River Plate and played two seasons with them before he was signed by Boca Juniors in 1990. In 1991, he signed with what is perhaps his most significant club – Fiorentina.
He made a total of 269 appearances for the team and scored 167 goals. He also helped them to win the 1995-1996 Coppa Italiana. In addition, he was instrumental in them winning the 1996 Supercoppa Italiana.
After leaving Fiorentina, Batistuta played for Roma from 2000 to 2003. During that time, he was loaned to Inter Milan in 2003. From 2003-2005, he played for Al-Arabi. He announced his retirement from professional football in 2005.
In addition to his club career, he also played for the Argentina National Team. In 1992, he helped them win the FIFA Confederation Cup.
Career Highlights:
River Plate
- Argentine Primera División - 1989–90
Boca Juniors
- Torneo Clausura - 1991
Fiorentina
- Serie B - 1993–94
- Coppa Italia - 1995–96
- Supercoppa Italiana - 1996
Roma
- Serie A - 2000–01
- Supercoppa Italiana - 2001
Argentina
- Copa América - 1991, 1993
- Kirin Cup - 1992
- FIFA Confederations Cup - 1992
- CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions -1993
Individual
- Copa América Golden Boot - 1991,1995
- FIFA Confederations Cup top scorer -1992
- Serie A top scorer - 1994–95
- Coppa Italia Top Scorer - 1995–96
- FIFA XI - 1997, 1998
- FIFA World Cup Silver Shoe - 1998
- Argentine Player of the Year - 1998
- ESM Team of the Year - 1998–1999
- Serie A Foreign Footballer of theYear - 1999
- FIFA World Player of the Year:Bronze Award - 1999
- Ballon d’Or - 1998 (6th place), 1999(4th place), 2000 (7th place)
- FIFA 100 - 2004
- Qatari League top Scorer - 2003–04
- Italian Football Hall of Fame - 2013
- ACF Fiorentina Hall of Fame - 2014
- A.S. Roma Hall of Fame: 2015
- AFA Team of All Time - 2015
- Fiorentina All-time XI
- Fiorentina All-time top scorer inSerie A
Team History:
National Team
- 1991–2002 - Argentina
