The presence of Gabriel Batistuta is felt by visiting teams to Fiorentina well before they walk out onto the pitch.

It is not uncommon for the entrance to a football ground to be marked by a statue of a former great, long gone or passed away.

But the 10-foot monument at the Stadio Artemio Franchi is in recognition of a man alive and very much kicking.

Since arriving from his native Argentina, 31-year-old Batistuta has scored over 150 goals for the club of his adopted city.

Great players come and go at all levels but at the root of Batistuta's adoration is the fact that this great player has stayed.

Fiorentina is a beautiful city but in football terms it is not held in the same fashionable esteem as the giants of Milan, Rome and Turin.

Yet Argentina's all-time record international scorer has stayed over eight years and even dropped down to Serie B for a year when Fiorentina were relegated in 1993.

Batistuta cuts an imposing figure with his speed, strength and warrior looks and he does not need many chances to turn a game.

He is also a natural born leader and his adoring fans have already campaigned for him to be appointed mayor.

The words on Batistuta's statue read: "He is a warrior who will not surrender, who is hard in the fight but who is fair in his soul.

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