Batistuta Calls Time

Argentina´s record goalscorer Gabriel Batistuta has announced his retirement from senior football.Argentina´s record goalscorer Gabriel Batistuta has announced his retirement from senior football.

The 36 year-old former Fiorentina and AS Roma striker released the following statement to Argentine media from Qatar yesterday: “I’m announcing my definitive retirement from football and I thank everyone who has helped make my career so successful.

“I will certainly continue in football in a different role. I will continue with my contractual, publicity and managerial commitments and finish my studies for coaching.”

The announcement came two days after Gabriel ended his contract with Qatari club Al Arabi following an injury-plagued year in which he played only three matches and failed to score.

He played in the 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cup finals, his last international goal coming in the 1-0 win over Nigeria in the 2002 World Cup finals. Batistuta scored 56 goals in 78 internationals.

Gabriel made his professional debut with Newell´s Old Boys in 1989. He also spent six months with River Plate before moving to Boca Juniors, becoming one of the few players to play for the two Buenos Aires rivals.

He joined Italy´s Fiorentina in 1991 and spent nine seasons there, including one in the second division after he preferred to help the club back to the top flight rather than move elsewhere. He joined AS Roma in 2000 and had a brief spell with Inter Milan in 2003 before leaving for Al Arabi.