Remembering Gabriel Batistuta's Unconditional Bomber Who Turns 52 Today

Gabriel Batistuta (Instagram @gabrielbatistutafans)

JAKARTA - Today, 52 years ago, a legend was born in Reconquista, Argentina. Named Gabriel Omar Batistuta, the man nicknamed Batigol has become a symbol of the Fiorentina club through his spectacular goals. Despite his lack of a title, Il Re Leone - another nickname - is a loyal figure who has lasted a long time in a foreign club. If he had been more flexible by accepting proposals from Manchester United or Barcelona, maybe his trophy cabinet would be tighter than David Beckham or Lionel Messi.

There are 1001 stories to describe the greatness of this man who was born on February 1, 1969. Both when he was still a professional football player and in his current retirement. And it can be easily obtained through a search engine called 'Google'. Therefore, we don't want to repeat the existing story, we just want to share about the achievements and goals that The Lion King scored while still playing.

Batistuta's activities with Fiorentina in the Italian League were fantastic. During nine seasons costumed La Viola, Batigol scored a total of 168 goals in 269 league games. The number of goals is the highest among all other players who have ever worn the purple shirt. Batigol even managed to surpass the club's previous record holder for most goals, Kurt Hamrin (Sweden), who scored 150 goals in 289 games during the period 1958-1967.

“Gabriel, believe me when I say that I admit my position as La Viola leader has been surpassed by you. Scored 152 goals in 8 years in Serie A League, in my opinion is a record. It shows that you are a complete striker, always scoring goals, because your goal was lucky for Fiorentina and happiness for the La Viola tifosi. The 238 goals I scored in Italy, 200 of them in a La Viola shirt, 57 in the Swedish league and 17 for the national team. If you have ended your career in football, we will compare the results again, I am sure you will surpass what I have achieved, "Kurt Hamrin said in 1999 when his goalscoring record was surpassed by Batigol, reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The prolific hitman played in Italy from 1991 to 2003. In his time, he was considered the best number 9 player in the world. Batigol wore the purple Fiorentina jersey from 1991 to 2000 before moving to Rome, where he won his only Scudetto.

“My whole career has been focused on trying to win with Fiorentina. I didn't succeed, but I gave my all, "said Batistuta in an exclusive interview on the official Serie A YouTube channel in December 2019.

“When I realized that I had given everything, I decided to change clubs and go to Rome, where I won the Scudetto. Personally, I think I deserve it. I made a lot of sacrifices to get there and I deserved to win, to be champion at least once, "Batigol added.

The Lion King scored 20 league goals to help the Giallorossi win the title in 2000-01 - his first season at the Olimpico. Unfortunately, the following season Roma failed to defend their title and Batistuta's goal tally dropped dramatically: only 6! He was then loaned to Inter Milan in the middle of the 2002-2003 season while ending his Serie A career at the San Siro before moving to the Al-Arabi club in Qatar.

Apart from the Scudetto, with Roma, Batistuta only won the 2001 Supercoppa Italiana. While still in purple uniform, Batigol only contributed the 1996 Coppa Italia trophy, 1996 Supercoppa Italiana, and 1993–94 Serie B. Too minimal for a player as famous as Batigol.

The series of titles that Batistuta won while still playing.

Boca Juniors

Argentine Main Division: Torneo Clausura 1990-91

Fiorentina

- Coppa Italia: 1995–96

- Supercoppa Italiana: 1996

- Serie B: 1993–94

- Gotham Cup: 1999

- Trofeo Cecchi Gori: 1995, 1997

- Prato Triangle Cup: 1995

Rome

- Serie A: 2000–01

- Supercoppa Italiana: 2001

Argentina national team

- Copa América: 1991, 1993

- King Fahd Cup (FIFA Confederations Cup): 1992

- Kirin Cup: 1992

- Artemio Franchi Cup: 1993

Individual:

- Most Copa America goals scored in 1991 (6 goals) and 1995 (4 goals)

- 1995 Serie A Top goalscorer with 26 goals

- 1996 Coppa Italia top scorer with 8 goals

- 1998 World Cup Silver Boot (5 goals)

- 1998 Journalist's Choice of Best Argentine Player

- 1999 Serie A Best Foreign Player

- 1999 Gotham Cup Player of the Year

- 1999 FIFA World Player of the Year Ranking [Under Rivaldo (Barcelona) and David Beckham (Manchester United)]

- World Soccer magazine's ranking of 23 Greatest Players of the 20th Century (With 300 points from 100 players)

- Top goalscorer in Qatar League 2004 with 25 goals (scored in 21 matches while breaking the record previously held by Mansour Mouftah with 24 goals)

- Golden Boot for Most Goalscorer in the entire Arab League 2004

- Fiorentina's most goalscorer of all time (207 goals in 332 games in all competitions)

- Argentina's all-time top goalscorer with 56 goals in 78 games (0.718 average of goals per game)

- Scored 13 goals in 11 consecutive Serie A games in the 1994/1995 season

- FIFA 100 “Greatest Living Footballers”

- The fourth player to score two hat-tricks at the World Cup (1994 and 1998) after Sándor Kocsis (Hungary, 1954), Just Fontaine (France, 1958), and Gerd Müller (West Germany, 1970)

- First player to score a hat trick in two editions of the World Cup (1994 and 1998)

- Third player to score the most penalty goals in a World Cup (excluding penalties) with two goals in 1994 and 1998 behind Eusébio (Portugal, 4 goals in 1966), and Rob Rensenbrink (Netherlands, 4 goals in 1978)

- Ranked 8th most World Cup goalscorer of all time (10 goals in 3 World Cup editions -1994,1998,2002)

- 1999 World Best Forward selected by players in 18 Dutch First Division clubs with 63 points (beating Ronaldo, Patrick Kluivert, Christian Vieri and Nwankwo Kanu)

- Ranked 4th Best European Footballer 1999 (France Football) under Rivaldo (Barcelona), David Beckham (Manchester United), Andry Shevchenko (AC Milan).

- The World's Sexiest Footballer 1998 French Women's Version

- Sexiest male athlete of the 21st century pooling version of the ProSport Sports Daily (Romania) in 2000. Beat Alberto Tomba (Italian skier) and Alexander Popov (Russian swimmer)

- Italian Football Hall of Fame 2013 (category for foreign players).

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Lionel Messi's Goals Record Surpassed Does Not Ease Batigol's Greatness

The world of football was in an uproar when Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi broke the Argentine goal record previously held by Gabriel Batistuta. Messi's 54 goals (in 77 games) that lasted 14 years were straddled by Messi through a goal he scored against the United States at the 2016 Copa America Centenario.

Comparing Messi with Batistuta is not quite right. Because even though they both have the same position as attackers, they both have different invasion zones. Batigol is a center forward who often stands on the off-side line, while La Pulga - Messi's nickname - is a playmaker and also a false 9 who often moves from left to right and from the front to the field. Or vice versa. However, the soccer public has compared the two only because Messi's number of goals now exceeds Batistuta. So, there is nothing wrong if we also compare.

We start with the average goals per game that both Batistuta and Messi have bagged. Batistuta - actually scoring 56 goals in 78 games, but two of his goals scored against the Slovak youth team on June 22, 1995 which are not recognized by the AFA (Argentina's PSSI) - have an average of 0.70 goals per game. Meanwhile, Messi, who scored 55 goals in 113 matches, only scored an average of 0.48 goals per game. Uncommon right?

The number of Batistuta's parties, which is far less than Messi's, is not without reason. Given that in the era of coach Daniel Passarella, he was eliminated from the national team because of Passarella's ridiculous rules which prohibited long-haired players. As a result, Batistuta missed several qualifying matches for the 1998 World Cup before finally cutting his hair a little for a place in the front of Argentina's core squad. However, the small number of matches shows that Batistuta is much more productive than Messi.

We start from the average goals per game pocketed by Batistuta and Messi until Sang Messah broke Batistuta's record. Batigol has an average of 0.70 goals per game. Meanwhile, Messi, who scored 55 goals in 113 matches, only scored an average of 0.48 goals per game. Uncommon right?

Now, let's break down one by one the goals and ratios of these two players in the official international arena. Starting from the World Cup qualifiers where Batistuta bagged 11 goals in 19 matches, and Messi with 15 goals in 37 matches (before the 2018 World Cup). This means that Batistuta has a goal ratio of 0.57, while Messi is 0.40. Pretty thin. However, Batistuta was still superior.

Then we go to the World Cup where during his participation in three World Cups - 1994, 1998 and 2002 (12 games) - Batistuta's total goals scored amounted to 10 balls. Meanwhile, Messi was only able to gain 5 goals in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cups (15 matches). On average, Batistuta's goal ratio at the World Cup is 0.83. Meanwhile, Messi, only 0.33. Far away, right? Why not include Messi's number of goals in the 2018 World Cup. It's useless, it will only reduce Messi's goal ratio.

Batistuta also set several goalscoring records at the World Cup. Among them, became the fourth player to score two hat-tricks (1994, 1998) after Sandor Kocsis (Hungary, 1954), Just Fontaine (France, 1958), and Gerd Muller (West Germany, 1970) as well as being the first and first player. the only one who scored a hat-trick in two different editions of the World Cup (1994 and 1998). Messi? Not even once scored a hat-trick at the biggest soccer party on planet earth.

Still lacking evidence? Okay, Batistuta is also the third player to score the most penalty goals in the World Cup (excluding penalties) with two goals in 1994 and 1998, behind Eusébio (Portugal, 4 goals in 1966), and Rob Rensenbrink (Netherlands, 4 goals in 1978) and is ranked as the 8th all-time World Cup top scorer (10 goals in 3 World Cup editions: 1994, 1998, 2002). Messi? At that time he was more busy thinking about his competition with Cristiano Ronaldo.

We turn to the Copa America. In his three appearances in the Copa America (1991, 1993 and 1995) Batistuta has tore the opponent's goal 13 times in 16 matches, and even won the title of top scorer in the 1991 (6 goals) and 1995 (4 goals) editions. Messi? In the four editions of the Copa America he has tasted (2007, 2011, 2015 and 2016) he has only been able to gain 8 goals in 21 matches without even winning the top scorer title. So, Batistuta's goal ratio in the Copa America is 0.81. Meanwhile, Messi, again, is far below Batigol. Only 0.38 !.

Their Comments on Batistuta

Gabriel Batistuta's prowess is undeniable. Both friends and opponents know very well the quality of the legend on the pitch. With the slogan "one chance, one shot, one goal", in front of goal, Batigol has no sense of 'pity'. Here are some comments about Batistuta that VOI picked up from various sources.

1. Giancarlo Antognoni (Fiorentina playmaker in the '70s):

“Gabriel Batistuta. I could have quoted thousands of episodes that prove his greatness and show his human side. But I prefer to describe him through three things: the beautiful goal at Wembley against Arsenal, Kurt Hamrin's breaking record, and Bati's attitude after scoring and showing a t-shirt gifted by a little boy named Antohny who is suffering from Leukemia. " (La Gazzetta and VCI Bulletin / December 1999)

2. Giovanni Trapattoni (Former Fiorentina coach)

“Batistuta is Batistuta, not a single striker from the club I've worked with is as great as Batistuta. Even a Roberto Bettega who scored 17 goals when I first handled Juventus was not as good as Batigol. Batistuta is also a phenomenon, he takes pride in being a very high player. He is both a forward and a leader who can pass on his passion for winning to his comrades. Batistuta is the owner of Firenze. I don't want to tackle Fiorentina without it, I can take Fiorentina to a place of honor if Bati remains its captain. While Batistuta was around I always believed Fiorentina could win, especially if he scores. In addition, on the other hand, Bati looks like Platini. He never made it difficult for me, never sulked and skipped training. Batistuta is a leader, because he is always an example. He always comes 30 minutes before training and is always the last to come home. If he were an Italiano, one place was available for him. " (Italian League Magazine / January 1999)

3. Fabio Capello (Former AS Roma coach)

“I just want to make it clear to you that Batigol is a player that all the big clubs in the world dream of. Why? because he is indeed a player who has a class of his own. He has strength, talent and charisma, everything in short. In my scheme Bati is the main choice. If he was not assigned, of course I have good reasons. If he is not fit, then don't expect to be taken down. Bati is a special player. See after he came to Rome, the title could be won. Its presence can interfere with the opponent's concentration. We are lucky to have him. I have to admit that with Bati among her friends things were better. The stupid coach who puts him on the bench when he's fit. " (Tabloid Bola / January 2002)

4. Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United's most successful coach)

“I am one of the coaches who admire Batistuta. It's been a long time since I wanted Batistuta at Old Trafford and was on the Red Devils' list of players. " (Football 365 and VCI Newsletter / February 2000)

5. Karl Heins Rummenigge (Former German famous bomber)

“Bati is a real attacker. He has what an attacker should have. His right foot shot is hard and accurate. " (Hai Magazine / 1996)

6. Dennis Bergkamp (Former Netherlands and Arsenal national striker)

“He is a player with extraordinary character. His prowess against the opponent's goal, very deadly. " (Hai Magazine / 1996).

7. Claudio Ranieri (Former Fiorentina coach):

"Bati is the strength and breath of the team." (Hai Magazine / 1996)

8. Gianluca Pagliuca (Former Inter Milan and Italian national team goalkeeper)

“Bati has high strength and technique. He has everything a striker needs. " (Hai Magazine / 1996)

9. Glenn Hoddle (Former England national coach)

“He has a good goal scoring instinct. And what I like about him, he shows that in his game. He is able to cooperate with his colleagues. He is one of those players who rarely makes mistakes in the penalty box. " (Media Indonesia / June 1998)

10. Alan Shearer (Former England national team striker)

“To score 48 goals in 67 international matches is an extraordinary record. No striker can do that. That's what Batistuta should reckon with. Apart from that, he had good posture, was strong and powerful. He is good at creating opportunities. He was once the top scorer in the Italian League competition. So clearly he is a striker who cannot be doubted. " (Media Indonesia / June 1998)

11. Guus Hiddink (Former Dutch national team coach)

"Whichever team is against the Argentine and Fiorentina teams, what is more important is to regulate the rhythm of the defense sector. Moreover, they have a dangerous attacker like Batistuta. ” (Media Indonesia / June 1998)

12. Christian Vieri (Former Italy national team striker):

"Forget comparing me with Batigol. He is a winner. He's the best spearhead in the world. " (Italian Football and Italian League magazine / March 1999)

13. Hernan Jorge Crespo (Former Argentina national team striker)

“His right leg kicks very hard, that's one of his strengths. I wish I could replace Batistuta's role in the national team, but he is only 30 years old and I am very happy to be with him in the national team. Many people say that I am the heir to Batigol because of my great scoring skills. But I don't think I have anything yet. I'm still young, don't compare me with Batigol. In my eyes, Batigol is a big player, his productivity is unmatched. " (Italian League Magazine / February 1999)

14. Roberto Baggio (Legend of Fiorentina)

“After losing me, Fiorentina was lucky to have a fantastic striker like Batistuta. But it's a shame he's at a club that isn't used to winning. I've also played with world-star players, but there is someone of them that I would love to play with but never will. He is Batistuta. " (Italian League Magazine / February 1999)

15. Andriy Shevchenko (Former striker for Ukraine and AC Milan)

“Don't always compare me with Ronaldo, he is not my idol. Batistuta is my idol. There are indeed some Serie A stickers that I admit are great. But, Gabriel Batistuta is the best. He's a complete attacker. " (Italian League Magazine / July 2000)

16. Luiz Ronaldo (Former Brazil and Inter Milan striker)

“I once asked Massimo Moratti (president of Inter Milan at the time) to buy Batistuta and partner him with me. Unfortunately it never came to fruition and I always hope for it. (Italian League Magazine / December 1998)

17. Jose Luis Chilavert (Former Paraguay national team goalkeeper)

“Batistuta is a big star. It's okay for everyone to call (Luiz) Ronaldo the best, but in the penalty box Batistuta is better than Ronaldo. " (Tabloid Bola / 1998)

18. Ruud Van Nistelrooy (Former Netherlands and Manchester United striker)

“My number one choice needs no further explanation. Batistuta is a goal. " (World Soccer Magazine / 1999)

19. Pele (Brazilian legend)

“Do not criticize the 70 billion value because Rome must have calculated the pros and cons. As a professional, it is only natural that five percent of it goes into the pocket of a super-player like Batigol. "(Tabloid Bola / May 2000)

20. Francesco Totti (AS Roma Legend)

"Even if there are people who succeed in holding back my departure from here (Roma) it is not Franco Sensi, but Batistuta. I couldn't be happier than this. I have always considered Batistuta to be the best striker in the world, and it is very tempting to think about playing alongside him. I can't wait to assist him. Batistuta was destined to be a leader, now he is coming to Rome and leading us. I'm not worried that Roma's public love will turn to Batigol, because he deserves it. I'm ready to do what's best for Roma. If I have to give him the No. 10 I am looking to Batistuta to ease the tension between Montella and herself over the No. 9 and please my club-mates, I'm ready to do that. " (Tabloid Bola / May 2000)

21. Hidetoshi Nakata (Former Japan national team player)

“There is no doubt we (Roma) are a strong team now. Especially after Bati's arrival. Lazio can buy Crespo. But Bati's experience is better than Crespo. " (Haisoccer Magazine / July 2000)

21. Edmundo Alves (Former Fiorentina striker)

“Batistuta is not and can never be replaced. Bati is a great leader and performer, someone who can lift spirits when down. A Batistuta is the same as a team. And he is very important to Firenze. I even dare to say that Rivaldo's arrival still can't compensate for losing Batistuta. " (La Gazzetta / August 2000)

22. Nuno Gomes (Former Portugal and Fiorentina striker)

“I don't consider myself a substitute for Batigol, even I don't want to be compared to him. Gabriel is the "Son of Firenze" and nothing can replace him. But my job is the same as him, which is to score goals. I will try to satisfy tifosi's desires. I'm not going to wear the No. 9, I don't want to be Batistuta's shadow. I like the No. 21. " (La Gazzetta / July 2000)

23. Enrico Chiesa (Former Fiorentina striker)

“Batistuta is one of my idols besides Pele. Crespo and Batigol are the transfer stars of the Italian league this year. Who is the best? We'll find out soon. I know both of them, they are very strong, but Crespo has the advantage, he will play with so many Argentine players he knows very well, he has a good partnership with Veron. Meanwhile, Batistuta will find himself once again surrounded by his great enemies from Brazil. Even so, the ball is round. " (Kataweb / August 2000).

24. Manuel Rui Costa (Former Fiorentina playmaker)

“I always miss Gabriel Batistuta in the Portugal national team. He's the best. " (Hai Magazine / July 2000)

"I feel shocked that he's not here anymore. I try to understand what feelings have happened. My friendship with Bati will never end, except on the field because he has changed costumes. His world of Fiorentina cannot be separated from his services. Thanks Bati. It is true that I am proud to have been given the trust to wear the captain's armband, but this is nothing compared to the true champion's departure. " (Tabloid Bola / May 2000)

25. Paul Ince (Former Inter Milan player)

“Gabriel Batistuta is my toughest opponent when defending Inter Milan. If we're going to play against Fiorentina, we always talk about him first. He's their hero, if you can silence the game then you can win the game. And that is the source of the heaviest difficulty. Yes, Batigol. " (Italian League Magazine / December 2000)

26. Sven Goran Eriksson (Former England and Lazio national team coach)

"I always imagined Batigol in the team that I worked with. I want to pair it with Owen. " (Tabloid Bola / January 2000)

27. Angelo Di Livio (Former Fiorentina captain)

“Before seeing Bati as a player you have to see him as a man first. Mentally extraordinary, like the British and Germans. " (Tabloid Bola / May 2000)

28. David Trezeguet (Former striker for the French national team and Juventus)

“Gabriel has had a huge influence on his colleagues on and off the pitch. So as to be able to motivate teamwork perfectly. His simple attitude which always considers all parties to be equal has always impressed me with him. " (Haisoccer Magazine / July 2000)

29. Moreno Torricelli (Former Fiorentina defender)

“Back when I was still playing at Juventus, I was always worried if I had to face him. All night restless and had trouble sleeping. Because he's such a great player. Now I'm a team with him, and I also feel the value myself as a team member. He can always say the right thing at the right time. For me he is the best off and on the pitch. If there are 10 people like him, we can be a great team not only in Italy but in the world. " (La Gazzetta and VCI Bulletin / March 2000)

30. Predrag Mijatovic (Former Fiorentina and Yugoslavia striker)

“One of the reasons I moved to Fiorentina was because there was Gabriel Batistuta. Who is not flattered to play with a striker as great as him? " (Tabloid Bola / April 1999)

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