Whether it be a powerful headed goal, a right-footed volley from an impossible angle, a net-breaking shot from the outside of the area, or the machine-gun celebration, everyone has their favourite memory of Gabriel Batistuta. This, of course, is the man whose 21 goals in the 2000/01 season brought Roma their last Scudetto triumph and the man who brought delight to Fiorentina over his nine seasons with the club.
Just like others who have achieved this iconic status in world football, their legacy becomes the property of everyone, a rabid appreciation for their greatness bringing fame across the globe whether it is wanted or not. Batistuta, in particular, struggled with the sheer level of hero-worship over his talent, his quiet personality and dedication to his studies meaning that he was initially reluctant to start a career in football in the first place.
“Is it true that I once said I never liked football? I did say it, but I was trying to protect myself against the Press and the public,” the Argentine told FIFA 1904 recently. “I said it, so they’d stop asking me things. I was finding the training all too much. You have to remember I was playing in Italy in the good times. There was a lot of pressure and everyone talked about football all the time, which I found pretty boring.”
“It goes without saying that I love the game, the tactics, the training and everything that happens on the pitch. I wasn’t that excited about football when I was young, but it did become my passion. I ended up living and breathing football.”
Living in Florence for the majority of his career – a place that also lives and breathes football – provided the perfect backdrop to cultivate his enthusiasm, along with the 207 goals scored in 332 appearances in that famous purple shirt.
Three out of the striker’s four children were born in the Renaissance city and Batistuta still makes regular trips back to the place he regards as his second home. Whilst this is always an emotional occasion, it is also somewhat of a double-edged sword as the sheer adulation he receives wherever he goes is at completely at odds with his shy demeanour.
"I loved and I love Florence, Fiorentina and the Florentines and feel their love,” the former striker declared in a 2016 ceremony that gave him honorary citizenship of the city. “I feel at home here. I felt it after playing here for only a couple of years. Wherever I went, I’d talk about this city like it was my home. It’s been almost 25 years since then. I was excited in all our games because I played with my heart and the responsibility of knowing that I was representing a city and fan base that were behind me.”
Visits back to Florence now tend to go unannounced in order to avoid whipping up any more frenzy than absolutely necessary, though. Back when he was playing for the Viola, his goals not only pulled them out of Serie B during his third season at the club, but propelled Claudio Ranieri’s side to Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana triumph through the mid-1990’s, further increasing that love affair between fans and player.
He brought a level of success that has not been seen since at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, but it was not only this which made “Batigol” so special in Florence. His commitment to the cause and his willingness to go the extra mile is what set him apart from the rest, yet another reason why he will be remembered in the city forever.
Again, this has taken its toll on the veteran, who is reported to have begged surgeons to amputate his legs after his retirement in 2005 because of pain related to playing on through injury.
"Now I have difficulty walking [because of it], Batistuta continued in that same interview. “Because I gave more than I had to give. The truth is somewhere in between. I love the game and everything that goes with actually playing. What I don’t like so much are the interviews, the controversy and all the external stuff.”
This quiet and shy man clearly “gave more than he had to give” not only for those adoring fans in Florence, but to the world of football at large. And for those years through the 1990’s, plus that unforgettable Roma Scudetto in 2001, the world will be eternally grateful to him.
