Batigol experience and guile still counts
May 19, 2002
PARIS, May 18 (AFP) -- As he looks to shine at one more World Cup Gabriel Batistuta may allow himself a wry smile.
The 33-year-old has been enjoying a surprise indian summer with the Argentines - as well as AS Roma - and is bidding to head into the sunset of retirement with a World Cup winner's medal in his luggage.
Whisper it in neighbouring Brazil, but age clearly does not worry coach Marcelo Bielsa, who seemingly has no intention of discarding the man who is the most experienced ace in his pack, even if others might prefer to describe him as the longest in the tooth.
The Brazilians have decided to discard their own "version" of Batistuta in Romario, who remains a past master at making even a quarter-chance count at the highest level.
In contrast, former Fiorentina icon Batistuta still enjoys almost talismanic status and he is relishing participating in a showcase event for the last time.
The reason for that is as simple as, on the face of it, it should have been for Romario.
Namely, Batistuta's phenomenal record.
From his early days with Newell's Old Boys to River Plate, Boca Juniors, Fiorentina and Roma, "Batigol" has struck with clinical efficiency, adding nine goals across two World Cup campaigns for good measure.
Only 12 months ago in Italy he led Roma to their first Serie A title in two decades, 20 league goals instrumental in securing that triumph.
Bielsa called on Barcelona striker Javier Saviola when Batistuta was injured for the recent friendly match against Germany while Hernan Crespo is also pushing hard to be seen as his country's number one forward.
But the old head is set to play a major role in the finals as his coach clearly sees experience at this level as the hardest and most precious commodity to come by.
That experience includes 50 international goals since a June 1991 debut against Brazil - including a vital pair in a qualifying win in Colombia.
Batistuta picked up an injury against Parma last month but was still among 12 players named early by Bielsa amid doubts about fellow veteran Claudio Caniggia of Rangers - labouring with a knee injury suffered in the Scottish Cup final.
Batistuta has yet to decide whether to stay with Roma, who endured a disappointing season, acknowledging that if he were to think about moving on then "there are certainly other teams that want me".
But for now his focus is on keeping up his market value with a strong showing in Asia, looking to sate his appetite for goals at the expense of Group of Death rivals England, Nigeria and Sweden.
Argentina were fortunate in that their qualifying programme took place before the financial problems which have devastated national morale over the past five months came to the surface.
And Batistuta earlier this month warned the country's political class not to exploit the World Cup in any way as a distraction from the task that lies ahead in rebuilding the economy.
"Our objective is to do well, especially to help our people who are suffering," Batistuta said.
"But I hope if we were to win the World Cup it would not be exploited by our politicians."
That was the case to a degree in the days of the former military dictatorship in 1978 when the Argentines won their first title on home soil.
On that occasion a long-haired striker named Mario Kempes became a national hero with his goalscoring prowess.
Batistuta intends to emulate his countryman in similar vein in the weeks ahead.