Argentina: Gabriel Batistuta

Gabriel Batistuta walked out of a love affair and into a marriage of convenience when he left Fiorentina for Roma.

The darling of the Florence ‘tifosi’ quit the club, where a statue was erected in his honour to join a team with real title ambition, following a series of rows with club owner Vittorio Cecchi Gori two

summers ago.

The club, it seemed, was not big enough for the both of them.

A year later he won the Scudetto with the Giallorossi and now the man nicknamed ‘Bati-gol’ is getting greedy.

‘‘I dream of lifting the World Cup,’’ he said.

‘‘It would be my conclusion with the national team. It would be the ultimate.’’

Batistuta was once banned from the national team by Daniel Passarella because of his long hair, and he reluctantly cut short his famous locks to win back his place ﷓ saving the coach a hard time from the Argentinian public.

Now 33, he has a better scoring record for Argentina than both Mario Kempes and Diego Maradona and is the national team’s record scorer with 55 goals.

With Hernan Crespo injured, he was thrust into the role of lone striker during the latter stages of qualifying for Korea and Japan.

But Crespo’s return to action and form with Lazio means current coach Marcelo Bielsa cannot guarantee Batistuta a start.

He has to scrap it out for the right to lead the attack in what looks like being his international swansong.

The young Batistuta watched in awe as Kempes lifted the World Cup for the Argentinians in 1978 and, in 1986, was beginning his professional career when Maradona inspired the national team to their triumph in Mexico.

Now an explosive figure, with pace, a great aerial presence and blockbusting boots, the trouble lies with his knees and he sat out much of last autumn through injury.

Batistuta began his football career at Newell’s Old Boys before spells with leading Buenos Aires teams Boca Juniors and River Plate.

It was at the Copa America in 1991 where Fiorentina discovered the young Batistuta who finished top of the scoring charts as Argentina triumphed.

He crossed the Atlantic to join the club where he became known as ‘The Emperor’.

Financial woes in the mid-nineties almost drove Fiorentina out of business, and a season in Serie B served as a warning that the club’s place in Italy ‘famous seven’ was at threat. That was hammered home this year when the club were relegated again to Italy’s second tier.

A Coppa Italia win in 1996 and Super Cup victory the following year were the only trophies the club could muster in Batistuta’s time.

Tears were shed in Florence on his departure, while Cecchi Gori rubbed his hands with glee at receiving £22million for a 30-year-old.

Bati-goals propelled Roma to the Serie A title in his first season. He struck 23 times in 28 appearances to bring home the club’s first title in 18 years.

Giovanni Trapattoni, now the Italy coach, was the unfortunate Fiorentina trainer ordered to sell Batistuta and he is hoping their paths do not cross this summer.

‘‘I have managed wonderful players in his role,’’ he explained, ‘‘but I believe Gabriel has all the qualities of a complete striker; technically good, strong headed and full of character.’’

Seeds Argentina were thrown in with England, Sweden and Nigeria in Group F of the first round, dubbed ‘the group of death’.

It is a challenge Batistuta is relishing, but he would rather have crossed swords with Sven-Goran Eriksson’s team later in the tournament.

‘‘I wanted to play against England in the final rather than try to eliminate one another in the first round,’’ he said.

‘‘If we get through, we may play against France. If we beat them, it could be Brazil.

‘‘I think we can win the title, we have a great team. But it is going to be so difficult.’’