GABRIEL BATISTUTA

lTEAMS PLAYED FOR
 
Al Arabi (Qatar): 2003 – 2005
Inter Milan (Italy): 2003
Roma (Italy): 2000 – 2003
Fiorentina (Italy): 1991 – 2000
Boca Juniors (Argentina): 1990 – 1991
River Plate (Argentina): 1989 – 1990
Newell’s Old Boys (Argentina): 1988 - 1989

BIO

Gabriel Omar Batistuta will always be one of the best strikers in the history of soccer.  He is rich, good looking and famous.  Men envy him, women want him.  But, just like many others, he grew up poor.  Just like many others, Gabriel experienced tragedies and uncertainties, which he withstood with honor.  He never gave up and always lived to the fullest.  He embraced the unknown as a challenge.  Everything he has reached in his life is due to his hard work and perseverance.   
Batistuta was born on February 1, 1969 in Avellaneda, Argentina.  He has three younger sisters.  On one hand, his early childhood went by under a strict supervision of his father, Osmar, the slaughterhouse worker.  On another hand, his early life was always supported by the love given to him by his mother Gloria with whom he always had a close relationship. 
From the very age Gabriel, or “el gringo” as he was called by his friends due to his fair skin color which is rare for an Argentine, was interested in two things: chasing around a soccer ball and fishing.  According to his words, Batistuta never really saw himself playing soccer.  His favorite sports was basketball.  He never dreamed about becoming a professional soccer player or even thought that he would become famous.  His life is full of difficulties, obstacles and wasted chances, tears and smiles, and, of course, unbelievable moments on the soccer field. 
It was a pure chance that Gabriel became a soccer player.  In January 1987 a representative from Newell’s Old Boys literally kidnapped Batistuta from his town and took him to the club.  The boy at that moment didn’t realize that his father had given Newell’s Old Boys an agreement to have his son tried out for the team.  It was time for Bati to spread the wings as Osmar put it.
  
CLUB CAREER

Gabriel Batistuta debuted in Argentine championship in the game against Saint Martin.  However, the real debut took place three days later, when he came onto the field wearing no 9 on his back instead of an injured striker in Copa Libertadores against San Lorenzo.  Batistuta did not score in that game, but without a doubt he left his heart on the field.  When he woke up the next morning, the first thing he saw was the newspaper article titled: “Batistuta – new star is born”.
After Newell’s Batistuta transfers to River Plate and then eventually to Boca Juniors, the team that will remain in his heart forever. 
During his time at River Plate, Batistuta was selected to be a part of the youth “Il Deportive” team traveling to Europe to play in youth tournaments.  In his first game against CSKA Sofia he scored a hat trick, however in the next game, Batistuta missed his penalty in a shootout and “Deportive” were knocked out.  The team had a free day and the coach arranged for the boys to attend a Serie A game between Fiorentina and AC Milan.  Young Gabriel was speechless seeing the atmosphere and love the fans were giving their teams.  At that moment he had no idea that two years later this love and affection of the Fiorentina fans will belong only to him.
After signing a contract for Fiorentina in 1991, Batistuta (or Batigol as the fans started calling him) played in 269 games for the team and became one of the most successful players in club history.  After playing in Florence for 9 years, Batistuta was transferred to Roma with whom he won his first major title, the Scudetto.  After Roma Gabriel continued his trade in Qatar, where he scored practically in every game (30 goals in 22 games).  Gabriel Batistuta retired in 2005

NATIONAL TEAM CAREER

       

The first game for the national team, Gabriel Batistuta played on March 27, 1991 in a friendly game against Brazil. Argentine national team in early 90’s was very strong.  By 1991, they had not lost in 33 games.  The team had a lot of famous players who were wither playing in Italy or were going to play there: Ruggeri, Goicoechea, Caniggia and Basile.  The team also had Kempes and Passarella who won 1978 World Cup and of course Diego Maradona who won the tournament in 1986.
The first tournament Batistuta won was Copa America 1991.  Not only that, but during that tournament he became the best scorer with six goals. 
The next major tournament where Argentina took part was the 1994 World Cup in the USA.  After Fiorentina being relegated to Serie B, Batistuta arrived in the US full of energy and optimism.  The first game Argentina won with style against Greece 4:0.  Gabriel scored a hat trick and Maradona added the forth goal.  The second game against Nigeria was also won – 2:0  However, the atmosphere in the team changed drastically when Diego Maradona failed the drug test after this game.  He was accused of having ephedrine in his system but the team refused to believe it.  As a result of Maradona’s suspension, the team has lost it’s tactical picture and got knocked out of the competition by Romania who won in the next round 3:2.
The team began to change and the new coach, Daniel Passarella, did not see Batistuta having a place on the team.  In fact, Batistuta did not play for Argentina for almost a year.  However, when he came back a year later, he continued to score as he did before.  At that time he passed Diego Maradona as the highest scorer in the history of Argentina. 

PERSONAL INFO

       

Gabriel Batistuta is married to his childhood sweetheart Irene and they have three sons Thiago, Lucas and Joaquin.  Currently Batistuta lives in Perth, Australia and is not involved in soccer.

TITLES AND AWARDS

Roma

Serie A: 2001

Supercoppa Italiana: 2001

Fiorentina

Supercoppa Italiana: 1996

Coppa Italiana: 1996

Serie A Top Scorer: 1995

International

Copa America: 1991, 1993

Confederations Cup: 1992

FIFA World Player of the Year (third place): 1999

FIFA 100