Gabriel Batistuta Bio (Biography)
Real name:
Gabriel Omar Batistuta
Date of birth:
February 1. 1969
Place of birth:
Reconquista, Santa Fe Province, Argentina
Astrology Sign:
Aquarius
Height:
6' 2½" (1.89 m)
Tags:
Biography
His European and South American fans call him a former professional footballer.
In North America, he is known as one of the soccer greats.
Gabriel Batistuta, nicknamed Batigol, played most of his career at ACF Fiorentina in Italy where he ranked the eighth top scorer of all time in the Italian Series A league with 184 goals in 318 matches over a period of 12 years.
During these years that spanned from 1991 to 2003, on the international scene, he was ranked as the all-time highest scorer for his Argentinean national team with 56 goals in 78 national team matches and he represented his country at three FIFA World Cups. In 2004, FIFA also identified him on their list of top 100 players as one of the greatest living footballers.
As successful as he became, no one knew what was in store for him growing up in the town of Reconquista, province of Santa Fe, Argentina with his three younger sisters named Elisa, Alejandra and Gabriela. His young wife Irina Fernandez probably wished she had an inkling when they first met. Reports were she ignored him for a time. But the two married when she was only 20 and they later left for Florence, Italy where they had their first son Thiago.
Batistuta was already known to fans at this time, having performed well in Italian championships with his national team.
He started receiving invitations for television shows and numerous commercials but he still tried to stay out of the limelight as much as possible.
He also remained a faithful family man who became well known for showing his affection for his wife during Fiorentina's two to one victory at AC Milan. Batigol scored the decisive goal in the game and celebrated by telling the television cameras "tea mo Irina" which means I love you Irina. This one action cemented his glowing reputation among young, adoring Argentine and Italian women.
In 1997, Batistuta's second son Lucas was born. His third son, Joaquin, followed in 1999.
He and his family decided to move to Rome in 2000 and then Milan in 2002 in order to follow his change of teams.
By March 2005, Batigol had too many injuries to keep going so he ended his soccer career.
In North America, he is known as one of the soccer greats.
Gabriel Batistuta, nicknamed Batigol, played most of his career at ACF Fiorentina in Italy where he ranked the eighth top scorer of all time in the Italian Series A league with 184 goals in 318 matches over a period of 12 years.
During these years that spanned from 1991 to 2003, on the international scene, he was ranked as the all-time highest scorer for his Argentinean national team with 56 goals in 78 national team matches and he represented his country at three FIFA World Cups. In 2004, FIFA also identified him on their list of top 100 players as one of the greatest living footballers.
As successful as he became, no one knew what was in store for him growing up in the town of Reconquista, province of Santa Fe, Argentina with his three younger sisters named Elisa, Alejandra and Gabriela. His young wife Irina Fernandez probably wished she had an inkling when they first met. Reports were she ignored him for a time. But the two married when she was only 20 and they later left for Florence, Italy where they had their first son Thiago.
Batistuta was already known to fans at this time, having performed well in Italian championships with his national team.
He started receiving invitations for television shows and numerous commercials but he still tried to stay out of the limelight as much as possible.
He also remained a faithful family man who became well known for showing his affection for his wife during Fiorentina's two to one victory at AC Milan. Batigol scored the decisive goal in the game and celebrated by telling the television cameras "tea mo Irina" which means I love you Irina. This one action cemented his glowing reputation among young, adoring Argentine and Italian women.
In 1997, Batistuta's second son Lucas was born. His third son, Joaquin, followed in 1999.
He and his family decided to move to Rome in 2000 and then Milan in 2002 in order to follow his change of teams.
By March 2005, Batigol had too many injuries to keep going so he ended his soccer career.