Calcio Legends: Gabriel 'Batigol' Batistuta

How many players , or athletes of any discipline for that matter, can testify as to having a statute erected of them by their supporters? Not many, but Gabriel Batistuta can. The darling of Florence, otherwise known as Batigol, spent nine years delighting the fans in Tuscany before moving on to both Roma and Inter for the twilight years of his career. They were nine great years for the man from Argentina, but it was not all plain sailing especially at first. Fiorentina were still reeling from the loss of Roberto Baggio to Juventus, so Batistuta had big boots to fill. He was spotted by the Tuscan side whilst debuting in the Copa America for Argentina who then proceeded to snap up the then young talent. Batigol repaid the faith that had been shown in him by duly scoring 13 goals in the Viola shirt in his debut season, and a custom machine gun celebration. He went some way better the season after with 16 marks in the league, yet this did not stop the club from relegation. Despite the undoubted possibility of moving on Batistuta did what perhaps many players in the current climate would consider unthinkable, he went down with his club to help them, and the fans of course, in their time of need. In the Cadetti he again hit the number 16 under the tutor ledge of a certain Claudio Ranieri to ensure them of Serie A status in the following season. International rewards duly followed as Argentina won the Copa America again in 1993, making them strong contenders for the 1994 world cup with the likes of Claudio Canniga and Diego Maradona in the squad. Indeed, despite spending a campaign in the Italian Serie B Batistuta was a key component for Argentina at the USA 94 tournament registering four goals in as many games. However, Argentina crashed out to Romania and Gheroghi Hagi in the second round after of course the infamous antics of Maradona at that tournament.

A Return to Serie A
Despite world cup disappointment, Batigol returned to Serie A with Fiorentina the next season and registered his highest ever tally in the league of 26 goals. Trophy's were to follow as well the following season as the Viola lifted the Coppa Italia against Atalanta and then the Italian Super Cup in the next seasons opener. The goals kept coming for Batigol as he registered 13 and 21 goals in 1996/1997 and 1997/1998 campaigns respectively and he headed to the France 1998 world cup as one of the best, if not the best, forward in the world. He was the type of player that could remain anonymous for 89 minutes, yet weigh in with the most vital of contributions. The goals came from everywhere and anywhere. 30 yard missiles, headers, tap ins, and the spectacular overhead kick were common place for the great man. Indeed, it was this range that separated him other forwards of his time. Widely respected and widely feared he spearheaded Argentina to the world cup quarter finals with 5 goals. But that was as far as they were to go after Holland took care of business against them in that match up.

Again the big honours just didn't happen for Batigol though. Yet despite no Serie A or World cup title to his name he stayed in Florence for the following season and was almost rewarded for it. The league that year turned into a four way battle between Milan, Lazio, Fiorentina and Parma. It was in that order that they finished that season despite Fiorentina leading the way for sometime, before an injury to the great Batigol, and then Lazio leading up until the second to last week. Somehow a dogged Milan side trugged their way to the title that year almost through the back door. Fiorentina though were still aside to be reconed with, and Batistuta knew it. With Rui Costa pulling the strings in midfield, Batigol stuck around for just one more season. But again it ended in disappointment as Fiorentina faded to seventh place that season, with Lazio taking the title and the likes of Inter, Juve and Roma having significantly strengthen their squads in the off season that year.

The end of Batigols Fiorentina dream: The Roma and Inter years
And, that was that. Batistuta wanted to win the Serie A title and moved to a club on the up in AS Roma. Roma, who had been without a league championship since the 1982/1983 season. With the likes of Totti, Tomassi and Del Vecchio in the Roma line up Batistuta jumped ship. It was a fruitful move as Roma dominated the 2000/2001 Championship holding of Juventus and previous champions Lazio to take their third Scudetto. Batigol played a big part in this registering 20 goals in that season. However, age was beginning to catch up with the great one and only six goals followed the following season in which Roma lost their grasp on the title to fellow rivals Juventus. The season after Batigol again looked adrift of form and was loaned out to Inter Milan. Yet, he registered only two goals for the Beneamata in 12 games. That was in the end that. Batistuta played out his days in Qatar doing what he did best, scoring a hat full of goals. He remains Argentina's leading goal scorer with 56 goals in just 78 games. Remarkable does not begin to describe the one man goal machine who will go down as one of the most memorable and spectacular players to have graced Serie A in the last two decades or so.