Gabriel Batistuta

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Batistuta's bond with Florence was forged in loyalty. After Fiorentina's relegation to Serie B in 1993, he stayed and helped the club win the 1993–94 Serie B title under Claudio Ranieri. He broke Ezio Pascutti's 32-year-old record by scoring in all of the first 11 matches of the 1994–95 season, finishing as Serie A top scorer with 26 goals. In 1995–96, alongside Rui Costa and Francesco Baiano, he helped Fiorentina go on a 15-match unbeaten run, finish fourth in the league, and win the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana over AC Milan. In the two-legged Coppa Italia final against Atalanta, Batistuta scored a goal in each fixture as Fiorentina won 3–0 on aggregate. The next season, Fiorentina reached the semi-finals of the 1996–97 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, losing to eventual champions Barcelona despite Batistuta scoring in a 1–1 away draw in the first leg. He scored over 20 league goals in each of the next three seasons and came third for FIFA World Player of the Year in 1999. Despite winning the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana with the club in 1996, he never won the Serie A title with Fiorentina.

In Their Own Story

The 1995–96 season was the peak of Batistuta's Fiorentina career. With the club on a 15-match unbeaten run, he led the attack alongside Rui Costa and Francesco Baiano. In the Coppa Italia final against Atalanta, Batistuta scored in both legs as Fiorentina won 3–0 on aggregate. He then helped the club win the Supercoppa Italiana over AC Milan. The fans showed their gratitude by erecting a life-size bronze statue of him in 1996. His powerful strikes against Arsenal and Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League further cemented his reputation. When he moved to Roma in 2000 for €36 million – the highest fee ever paid for a player over the age of 30 until Cristiano Ronaldo moved from Real Madrid to Juventus in 2018 – he left as Fiorentina's all-time Serie A top scorer with 151 goals.

Reader's Guide

To experience Batistuta's Fiorentina legacy, start at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, where the Curva Sud still echoes with chants of 'Batigol.' The life-size bronze statue erected by fans in 1996 stands as a permanent tribute. Visit the club museum to see memorabilia from his 151 Serie A goals and the 1995–96 Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana trophies. The record he set by scoring in the first 11 matches of the 1994–95 season is still celebrated. Fans remember his loyalty during the 1993 relegation and his role in winning the 1993–94 Serie B title. His departure to Roma in 2000 for a record fee for a player over 30 remains a bittersweet chapter, but his status as Fiorentina's all-time Serie A top scorer is unassailable.

Did You Know?

• Batistuta is Fiorentina's all-time top scorer in Serie A with 151 goals.
• He broke Ezio Pascutti's 32-year-old record by scoring in all of the first 11 matches of the 1994–95 Serie A season.
• Fiorentina fans erected a life-size bronze statue of him in 1996 in recognition of his performances.
• He stayed with Fiorentina after relegation to Serie B in 1993 and helped them win the Serie B title the following season.
• He scored a goal in each leg of the 1995–96 Coppa Italia final as Fiorentina beat Atalanta 3–0 on aggregate.