Bati and the "Guerino", a gold story
Date: July '99
Gabriel Omar Batistuta is for us of the "Guerino" much more than the extraordinary striker that brings the Fiorentina fans joy and emotion every time he's on the pitch. The same joy and emotion he brings to all the ones that love the sport around the world. We can understand that destiny brought him to "Firenze", the Rennaissance city, to be part of the elite of great masters that left their mark in the city of Florence.
Batistuta is the leader, the interpreter of an art called "calcio". Batistuta the Magnificent, name given to him some months back. Batistuta the symbol of a society, of a team, of an entire city. Batistuta is all this and more: He is synonymous of responsibility, tenacity, sportmanship and courage. In this changing "calcio" where money seems to be gaining importance by leaps and bounds, where loyalty
to a team is no longer first, where macchinations are at the top of the list, Batistuta is the image of what's clean and transparent, he's the example we would like all our youngsters to follow.
For this and more, WE, of the "Guerin Sportivo" have voted for Bati to be the recipient of "Il Pallone D'Oro". We knew that Zidane being the one scoring the two goals that gifted the World Cup to France had the biggest chance of obtaining it, but Bati, an undisputable champion for years in the hardest championship in the world should have been there in the podium along side Zidane.
This was not to be and Bati's disappointment is also ours. But we promise you Bati, we will be there next year, because you've been great this season as well. Twenty one goals, not even one from the penalty area, and lets not forget that he was out for a month due to injury. Twenty one goals that brought Fiorentina a place in the Champions League. A great player that made the whole city of Florence dream of the "scudetto".
Batistuta and Trapattoni, Batistuta and Rui: A perfect combination. In the interview with Marani, Batistuta sent a very clear and precise message to Cecchi Gori:
"We need to built a stronger Fiorentina, we need a capable management, we need to turn Fiorentina into a more competitive team, one that would be able to win the Champions League for the city of "Firenze".
This is of the outmost importance for Batistuta. God only knows how many "Pallone D'Oro" he would have won by now if he had played in Milano, Torino.......
By: Giuseppe Castagnoli
Source: Guerin Sportivo Magazine
Translations by: Mari
For us he is number ONE