Gabriel Batistuta

Batigol — the most prolific Argentine striker of his generation and one of the most feared centre-forwards of the 1990s.

Gabriel Omar Batistuta was born in Avellaneda, Santa Fe, Argentina on 1 February 1969. Inspired by Mario Kempes and Argentina's 1978 World Cup win, he switched from basketball to football in his teens. After stints at Newell's Old Boys, River Plate and Boca Juniors, the Fiorentina vice-president spotted him at the 1991 Copa América and signed him to Florence. He spent nine seasons with Fiorentina — becoming their all-time top scorer in Serie A with 152 goals — and crucially, when they were relegated to Serie B in 1993, he stayed when every top club in Europe wanted him. The Florentines erected a life-size bronze statue of him in 1996 in recognition. He moved to Roma in 2000 for €36 million — the highest fee ever paid for a player over 30 at the time — and won the 2001 Serie A title. He was so distressed after scoring against his beloved former club Fiorentina that he left the stadium in tears without celebrating. He held Argentina's all-time international scoring record with 56 goals in 78 caps until Messi surpassed it in 2016. He is the only player to score hat-tricks in two different World Cups. In retirement he suffers chronic ankle problems from the physical toll of 17 years at elite level — walking remains difficult.

Powerful striker known for thunderous left foot, clinical finishing, and ability to score from any position

Regarded as one of the greatest strikers in football history and Argentina's most prolific goalscorer before Messi

• Coppa Italia (Fiorentina)
• Copa América 1991, 1993
• 78 Argentina caps, 56 goals
• Serie A 2001
• UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1961