Bati Facts

His nickname: Batistuta, for all of us... Batigol.

His nationality: Argentinian, he is proud of his origin and heritage. He is in love with his country.

The contract: Link with Fiorentina till year 1999, with an option of staying until 2000. His salary a little less than five million dollars a year.

His characteristics: A dinamite right, also very good in the air.

His speciality: His strength, in counter attack is imposible to stop.

The team: His first profesional contract came from Newell's Old Boys of Rosario. Also played with Boca Juniors and River Plate before moving to Italy. In the Argentinian Championchips he played 52 games and scored 21 goals.

Victories: Two "Copa Americas", one "Supercoppa", one "Coppa Italia" with Fiorentina.

The goals: The second most prolific goal scorer in the history of Fiorentina. Following Hamrin's 182 goals.

The record: On the 27 of November, 1994, he established a new record for scoring goals consecutively (12 goals). In this same year he won the title of Italy's best scorer in "Serie A' with 26 goals. He is also the most prolific "Viola" scorer in "Coppa Italia" with 18 goals.

His debut in Italia: It was against Cesena in "Coppa Italia" in Florence. He scored no goals that night, his team won 2-1. Gabriel came as substitude of M. Orlando in the second half.

The first goal in "Serie A": He scored against Genoa, one of his favorite victims, on September 18, 1991. The team to whom he has scored the most goals is Inter-Milan. The goalkeeper to whom he has scored the most, Pagliuca. The team to which he has not been able to score, Juventus.

The National Team: He has scored 43 goals for his country.

The coaches: Tabarez and Ranieri are his favorites. He esteems Malesani very much. His relation with Passarella, poor.

His teammates: Good friend of Baiano also of Rui Costa, he gets along with everyone the way a good captain should.

His idol: Mario Kempes, one of Argentinas greatest player, won World Cup 78.

The fans: Very good rapport but without giving to much familiarity.

His way of celebrating: When he broke the record in 1994, he celebrates by running and grabing the corner yellow flag. After scoring his two goals to Milan in "Coppa Italia" at San Siro, he ran to the T.V. cameras and shouted "IRINA, TE AMO"--"IRINA, I LOVE YOU".

Objectives: Win the "Scudetto" (the serie A title) and the World Cup 98.

Rapport with the president: After every thing said and done Cecchi Gori can't visualize Fiorentina without his "fuoriclasse" (best of the best). Last season was one full of misunderstanding between the two.

The Title: Bati thinks that this year the title seems possible.

The World Cup: Wants to convince Passarella to take him to France. After a long time of not being called, Passarella assured him that he will be in the World Cup.

How much: Cecchi Gori has turned down a 35 million dollars offer from Barcellona for Batistuta's transfer.

Number: He has always carried number 9 on his back.

Origin: He was born at Reconquista, a city of Argentina.

The Family: Father Omar, he's the one who looks after Bati's interests along with his manager Aloisio. His mother, Gloria, his sisters Elisa, Alessandra and Gabriela. He is the eldest of all the siblings.

His Wife: Irina, he met her when he was 17 and she a girl of 15. They married on the 28th of December, 1990.

Children: Thiago (6), Lucca (2).

His friends: His best friend is Gustavo Masat, an ex-argentine player.

The Women: He receives boxes of letters from his fans everyday.

Hobby: Fishing and hunting. Many times has gone hunting with Roberto Baggio.

Other sports: He's a Ferrari fan also enjoys playing golf and tennis.

Home: He lives only 400 meters from the stadium, but he will be moving soon to a villa at the Fiesole hills. In Reconquista he owns a big cattle ranch.

Autos: He owns a Mercedes and a "fuoristrada" (like a Cherokee or an Explorer-type of vehicle).

Favorite actor: Jack Nicholson.

Favorite beverage: Mineral water and "mate" (this is like a tea made of herbs very popular in South America).

Favoutite Book: "Hundred Years of Solitude" by Garcia Marquez.

Dream vacation: United States

Favorite T.V. program: "Scherzi a parte" (this is an Italian comedy show). But he rarely sees T.V., he prefers video-games.

Music: Soft music.

Other interest: His cattle ranch were he grows cattle for meat with the help of his father.

His looks: He favors sports-clothing. When he arrived in Italy he was wearing his hair long, now he wears it shorter.

Personality: Shy, home-type, proud.

Addiction: Internet, it's an obsession, he's crazy about it.

"Sacaramanzie" "Cabalas" (to avoid the evil eye): If he has any, he will not say.

His wishes: To be playing at top form till the end of his career.

Regret: Not been able to play the semifinal of "Coppe delle Coppe" against Barcelona.

Dissappointments: Lost the title in the final with the Boca Jr.

The greatest joy: The birth of his sons.

Future: Return to Argentina to become a rancher or.....Stay in Florence....;Who knows!!

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