Just found this on Olé' site. It's a letter from Gabriel announcing his retirement. Translation below:

Por la presente informo oficialmente mi retiro definitivo como futbolista profesional. Agradezco a todos los que me ayudaron durante mi carrera. En primer lugar a mi familia, a mi representante, a los hinchas, dirigentes, árbitros, empresarios, trabajadores de este deporte, cuerpo técnico, periodistas y a mis colegas futbolistas.

Gracias a los clubes argentinos e italianos donde jugué y especialmente a los que hicieron posible formar parte de la Selección Argentina. Mi continuidad en el fútbol será seguramente desde otro lugar. Rescindimos de común acuerdo con el club Al Arabi, mi último contrato como jugador.

Y a partir de ahora continuaré mis compromisos contractuales, publicitarios, empresariales y finalizaré los estudios a distancia para la dirección técnica.

Gracias por tanto afecto.

Gabriel Omar Batistuta

By way of this (letter) I'm officially announcing my retirement from professional football. I thnak everyone who's helped me during my career. Firstly my family, my agent, fans, management, referees, people who work in this sport, journalists, trainers and fellow footballers.

Thanks to the Argentine and Italian clubs where I played and especially to those who made it possible for me to play in the national side. My continuing in football will surely be from another place. We terminated my contract with Al Arabi, my last as a player, by mutual agreement.

From now on, I will continue my contractual, publicity and commercial commitments and I shall finish my distance learning course in coaching.

Thank you for so much affection.
GAB

Christine - too sad to comment now

Thanks for the translation Christine... this letter proves one time more how cute Gabriel is, he's not only a great player but a great person too. He gave us so much great moments!!!

You're right it's very sad... moreover if we think that he won't realize his dream of playing a last year with his Fiore... but we can hope a come back as coach or manager!!!

Goodluck sweet Gabriel

Thanks to both Christine and Franca.
It's one of those things that we knew was coming... but now, it seems, it's here.

Yeah, like you Christine, I need to think about how I feel.... I also feel too sad to comment just yet.

PS. Franca... the letters are a lovely idea.

Confirmado: Batistuta se retira del fútbol profesional

El delantero anunció hoy su decisión definitiva de dejar las canchas para dedicarse a completar sus estudios de director técnico

Gabriel Omar Batistuta anunció hoy su retiro definitivo del fútbol profesional y dijo que piensa completar sus estudios como director técnico, porque quiere seguir ligado a la actividad.
"Anuncio mi retiro definitivo del fútbol profesional y agradezco a todos los que ayudaron a que mi carrera haya sido tan exitosa", confió Batistuta en declaraciones televisivas.
El club Al Arabi, de Qatar, le había rescisindido ayer su contrato como consecuencia de sus constantes lesiones, que le permitieron jugar solamente tres partidos en esta temporada.
El futbolista había firmado un contrato por dos años, a cambio de 7,6 millones de euros, pero lo rescindió tres meses antes de su finalización.
Batistuta inició su carrera en Newell's y después pasó por River y Boca, antes de marcharse a Italia, donde jugó diez temporadas en Fiorentina.
En 2000 fue transferido a Roma, con el que salió campeón, y tres años después estuvo algunos meses en Inter de Milán para luego incorporarse a Al-Arabi.
www.infobae.com

BabelFish translation
Confirmed: Batistuta retires of professional soccer

The forward announced his definitive decision today to let the fields to dedicate itself to complete his studies of technical director

Gabriel Omar Batistuta today announced his definitive retirement of professional soccer and said that he thinks to complete his studies like technical director, because he wants to follow bound to the activity. "Announcement my definitive retirement of professional soccer and I am thankful to all those that helped to that my race has been so successful", trusted Batistuta televising declarations. The club To the Arabi, of Qatar, him had rescisindido yesterday its contract as a result of its constant injuries, that allowed him to only play three parties in this season. The soccer player had signed a contract by two years, in exchange for 7.6 million euros, but she terminated three months before his conclusion. Batistuta initiated its race in Newell's and later it happened through River and Boca, before leaving to Italy, where it played ten seasons in Fiorentina. In 2000 it was transferred Rome, with which champion left, and three years later it was some months in Inter of Milan soon to get up itself to Al-Arabi.
====================================================



Luego de rescindir su contrato con el Al Arabi de Qatar, el ex delantero confirmó este domingo que abandonará la práctica profesional de fútbol.

"Anuncio mi retiro definitivo del fútbol profesional y agradezco a todos los que ayudaron a que mi carrera haya sido tan exitosa", este fue el anuncio que hizo este domingo Gabriel Batistuta a través de un breve comunicado enviado desde Qatar y difundido por Canal 7. De esta manera, el goleador de 36 años puso fin a una carrera llena de éxitos.

La rescisión de su contrato el pasado viernes con el Al Arabi de Qatar, debido a sus continuas lesiones, fue el detonante que lo llevó a tomar esta previsible decisión, aunque pretende seguir ligado al fútbol como entrenador, por lo que piensa terminar sus estudios, según declaró.

El “Bati” se retira habiendo dejado una huella en el mundo del fútbol y principalmente en la Selección argentina, con varios records y títulos, entre ellos ser el máximo goleador histórico del combinado nacional con 56 tantos en 78 partidos, una marca muy difícil de superar. Con la celeste y blanca disputó tres mundiales (Estados Unidos 1994, Francia 1998 y Corea-Japón 2002) y ganó las Copas América en 1991 y 1993

Durante su trayectoria, vistió las camisetas de Newell´s (1988/89), River (1989/90) y Boca (1990/91) en la Argentina, y las de Fiorentina (1991/2000), Roma (2000/2003) e Inter. (2003) en Italia, para luego recaer en el Al Arabi, donde conquistó 26 goles en 23 presentaciones. Con estos clubes obtuvo varios galardones: torneo 89/90 (River), Copa Italia y Supercopa Italiana 95/96 (Fiorentina), y la liga italiana 2000/2001 con la Roma. Además, estableció una marca en la temporada 1994/95, cuando marcó al menos un gol en las primeras doce fechas del torneo.

BabelFish Translation
After terminating its contract with the A the Arabi de Qatar, the ex- forward confirmed east Sunday that will leave the professional practice of soccer. "Announcement my definitive retirement of professional soccer and I am thankful to all those that helped to that my race has been so successful", this was the announcement that Gabriel Batistuta through a brief official notice sent from Qatar and spread by Channel 7 did east Sunday. This way, the goleador of 36 years ended a full race of successes. The rescission of its contract the past Friday with the A the Arabi de Qatar, due to its continuous injuries, was the detonating that took it to make this foreseeable decision, although tries to follow bound to soccer like trainer, reason why it thinks to finish his studies, according to declared. The "Bati" retires mainly having left a track in the world of soccer and in the Argentine Selection, with several record and titles, among them to be the maximum historical goleador of the national combined one with 56 so many in 78 parties, a mark very difficult to surpass. With celestial and the white one it disputed three world-wide ones (the United States 1994, France 1998 and Korea-Japan 2002) and gained the America Glasses in 1991 and 1993 During his trajectory, it dressed the t-shirts Newell´s (1988/89), River (1989/90) and Mouth (1990/91) in Argentina, and those of Fiorentina (1991/2000), Rome (2000/2003) and Inter. (2003) in Italy, soon to fall to the A the Arabi, where it conquered 26 goals in 23 presentations. With these clubs it obtained several awards: match 89/90 (River), Glass Italy and Italian Supercopa 95/96 (Fiorentina), and Italian league 2000/2001 with Rome. In addition, it set a record in season 1994/95, when it marked at least a goal in the first twelve dates of the match.
================================================
Batistuta calls it quits
From correspondents in Buenos Aires
14mar05

ARGENTINE international centre-forward Gabriel Batistuta today announced his retirement from football, just two days after his lucrative contract with Qatari side Al-Arabi was cancelled.

"I am retiring as a professional footballer," said the 36-year-old in a statement released from Doha.
"Thank-you for all the affection that you have given me."
Batistuta is Argentina's record goalscorer having hit 59 in 78 internationals.
The striker played for Inter Milan, Roma and Fiorentina in Italy as well as Boca Juniors, River Plate and Newell's Old Boys in his homeland.
www.thecouriermail.news.com.au
================================
Batistuta calls time on his career

BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - Argentinian international centre-forward Gabriel Batistuta announced his retirement from football just two days after his lucrative contract with Qatari side Al-Arabi was cancelled.

"I am retiring as a professional footballer," said the 36-year-old in a statement released from Doha.
"Thank-you for all the affection that you have given me."
Batistuta is Argentina's record goalscorer having hit 59 goals in 78 internationals.
The striker played for Inter Milan, Roma and Fiorentina in Italy as well as Boca Juniors, River Plate and Newell's Old Boys in his native Argentina.
"Gabriel has lost the enthusiasm to play even though he is in perfect physical condition," said the player's representative Settimio Aloisio.
"It's best he leaves now before football leaves him."
Batistuta played in three World Cups in the United States in 1994, France in 1998 and in South Korea and Japan in 2002 and helped his country to two Copa America titles in 1991 and 1993.
Al-Arabi had signed him on a 7.6-million-euro deal in 2003.
http://sports.yahoo.com
============================
Batistuta anuncia su retiro del fútbol, desmotivado pero agradecido

Buenos Aires, 13 mar (PL) El delantero argentino Gabriel Omar Batistuta anunció hoy su retiro del fútbol, desmotivado en el ocaso de una trayectoria que consideró exitosa.

"Anuncio mi retiro definitivo y agradezco a todos los que ayudaron a que mi carrera haya sido tan exitosa", explicó Batistuta en un comunicado, donde expresó sus deseos de seguir vinculado al fútbol, ahora como entrenador.
"Gabriel perdió el entusiasmo y es preferible que deje ahora, antes de que el fútbol lo deje a él", abundó Settimio Aloisio, representante de "Batigol", máximo goleador de la selección albiceleste.
La víspera, el cada vez más lesionado atacante argentino abandonó Qatar tras ser despedido por el club Al Arabi, para el cual jugaba desde mediados de 2003.
Batistuta sólo había disputado tres partidos en la actual campaña, sin anotar un solo gol, en tanto la pasada temporada lideró la liga qatarí con 25 dianas.
El cañonero argentino jugó en su país para los clubes Newell"s Old Boys, River Plate y Boca Juniors, y luego en Italia militó en la Fiorentina, Roma e Inter de Milán.
Nacido el 1 de febrero de 1969, en la provincia argentina de Santa Fe, Batistuta debutó en primera con el plantel rosarino Newell"s Old Boys, donde jugó de 1988 a 1989.
Luego lo traspasaron al River y hasta su fichaje meses después al eterno rival del once millonario, el Boca Juniors, donde estuvo hasta 1991, cuando ganó la Copa América celebrada en Chile.
Después de aquella actuación pasó a la "Fiore", volvió a ganar una Copa América -en Ecuador, 1993- y compitió en los Mundiales de Estados Unidos (1994) y Francia, cuatro años después.
En 1994, contra Paraguay, el rubio goleador superó la marca del mítico Diego Armando Maradona como máximo goleador histórico de la albiceleste. Esa temporada marcó al menos un gol en los doce primeros partidos del campeonato italiano de fútbol.
Pronto lo idolatraron en Florencia, sobre todo cuando decidió quedarse con el plantel al descender a segunda, aunque la siguiente temporada regresó al Calcio.
Con 31 años en sus costillas pasó al Roma, donde consiguió el "scudetto", antes de acabar su historia italiana con el Inter lombardo.
Su relación con la selección argentina culminó tras el Mundial celebrado en Corea y Japón, en 2002.

BabelFish Translation
Batistuta announces its retirement of soccer, demotivated but been thankful Buenos Aires, 13 sea (PL) the Argentine forward Gabriel Omar Batistuta today announced its retirement of soccer, demotivated in the decline of a trajectory that considered successful. "Announcement my definitive retirement and I am thankful to all those that helped to that my race has been so successful", explained Batistuta in an official notice, where it expressed its desires to follow tie soccer, now like trainer. "Gabriel lost the enthusiasm and is preferable that leaves now, before soccer leaves it him", abounded Settimio Aloisio, representative of "Batigol", goleador maximum of the albiceleste selection. The eve, more and more injured attacking Argentinean left Qatar after being dismissed by the club the Arabi, for which it played from mid 2003. Batistuta had only disputed three parties in the present campaign, without writing down a single goal, in as much the last season led the qatarí league with 25 morning calls. The Argentine cannoneer played in his country for the clubs Newell"s Old Boys, River Plate and Boca Juniors, and soon in Italy he militated in the Fiorentina, Rome and Inter of Milan. Been born the 1 of February of 1969, in the Argentine province of Santa Fe, Batistuta it made debut in first with the rosarino establishment Newell"s Old Boys, where it played from 1988 1989. Soon they transferred to the River and until its draftee months later to the eternal the eleven rival of millionaire, the Juniors Mouth, where it was until 1991, when it gained the America Glass celebrated in Chile. After that performance it happened to the "Fiore", it returned to gain a America Glass - in Ecuador, 1993- and competed in the World-wide ones of the United States (1994) and France, four years later. In 1994, against Paraguay, the goleador blonde at the most surpassed the mark of the mythical Diego Arming historical goleador Maradona of the albiceleste. That season marked at least a goal in the twelve first parties of the Italian championship of soccer. Soon they idolized it in Florence, mainly when it decided to remain with the establishment when descending to second, although the following season returned to Calcium. With 31 years in his ribs it happened to Rome, where it obtained "scudetto", before finishing to its Italian history with the Inter lombardo. Its relation with the Argentine selection culminated after the World-wide one celebrated in Korea and Japan, in 2002.
http://www.prensa-latina.org
=============================

Mariela

THANK YOU soooooooooooooooooooo much for the translation, dear Christine!

Mariela

ADDIO, GABRIEL!!!























NOTHING can STOP us to love and support you!!!!

Mariela

ADDIO, GABRIEL!























NOTHING can stop us to love and support you!!!

Mariela

Guys, i don't know what to say...
I knew this moment is so close...
i knew this moment will come sooooooo soon...

but now - when it's oficially said i feel so sad...
i just turned back in my mind and remembered ALL the happy and sad moments we've lived through BATI's career...

i'm sure that NOBODY of us regrets of anything he was living through with GABRIEL and his career as a football player...
even for the worst and most sad moments...

i don't know what to say...

i really want to THANK my FORTUNE for giving me the chance to meet HIM twice in my life...

anyway...

"GABRIEL BATISTUTA - THE WINNER OF THE GOLDEN BALL IN THE HEARTS OF HIS FANS...."

FOREVER!!!

Mariela

Yeah, we all knew it was coming, but still very sad!!

sad but i think he make the right decision to call it a day for his life as a striker. Its sad that he could not accomplished the goal to lifted the champion league cup and the world cup..But anyway he get the serie a champion once before the end of his destiny in serie a ..I too hope that he can be back for fiorentina and scored 30 more goals to break the record but i know it will not happen....Anyway i think the world respect him as one of the legendary striker with heart and loyalty... Anyway really thankyou for creating a memoriable journey for me hahahahah i watch serie a becauce of him Batistuta , i start watching soccer because of him Batigoal, i enjoy and scream of joyness because of his effecti veness of his goals....People say the club come before the player but i say player come before the club .....I really like the partnership of Rui Costa-Batistuta-chiesa/ Mijatovic...Still remember the pairing of Batistuta and edmundo ..now all it ends with good memories.....sad but i accept the decision

Beautifull letter!!!

I feel so sad... not only because we never see him playing again but because he won't realize his dream of wearing again the viola shirt...when i think that all that is due to an injury made by a ac milan player which is my team... i feel very bad... you can't imagine how much.

Let's hope he'll come back as a coach... i'm sure he'll be a very good one... he's charismatic enough to do such a job.

Goodluck dear Gabriel.

It`s official then

Like so many others have said I don`t really know what to say right now. I guess it`s time to sum up and appreciate the time spent with this amazing player

hi
source: http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-batistutafactbox&prov=reuters&type=lgns

BUENOS AIRES, March 13 (Reuters) - Factbox on Argentina striker Gabriel Batistuta, who announced his retirement on Sunday:

1969: Born on February 1 in Reconquista, Argentina

1988-89: Makes debut for Argentine side Newell's Old Boys. Scores four goals in title-winning season before moving to River Plate.
1989: Leaves River and crosses Buenos Aires to city rivals Boca Juniors.

1991: Signs for Fiorentina for $2.3 million.

1992-93: Despite his 16 goals in 32 games, Fiorentina are relegated. Batistuta turns down offers to move to other Serie A sides.

1993-94: Scores 16 goals in 26 matches to take Fiorentina back into the top flight at first attempt.

June 1994: Hits hat-trick in his World Cup debut against Greece.

1994-95: On target in each of his side's opening 11 matches of the season to set a new Italian goal record. Ends campaign as Serie A's top scorer with 26 goals from 32 games.

April 1996: Grabs his 34th goal for Argentina in a 3-1 victory over Bolivia, equalling Diego Maradona's record.

May 1996: Scores in both legs of Italian Cup final as Fiorentina beat Atalanta Bergamo 3-0 on aggregate to claim their first major trophy in 21 years. It was the only title Batistuta won in his nine years in Florence.

April 1997: Hits superb equaliser in UEFA Cup semi-final in Barcelona. Photos of "Batigol" holding his finger to his lips to silence a 100,000-strong Nou Camp crowd become part of Italian football folklore.

November 1997: Recalled by Argentina after being dropped for 10 months.

June 1998: Grabs hat-trick at World Cup in 5-0 drubbing of Jamaica. Becomes father for third time the day before Argentina's quarter-final win over England in which he scores his side's opening goal.

1998-99: Scores 13 goals in first 13 matches of season to help Fiorentina to the top of Serie A. When he is sidelined with a knee injury in February their title push falters and they finish third.

January 2000: Third behind Rivaldo and David Beckham in 1999 FIFA World Player of the Year award. Scores 152nd league goal for Fiorentina, breaking club record set by Swede Kurt Hamrin in 1950s.

May 2000: Scores hat-trick on final day of season to break Hamrin's Serie A record. Bursts into tears after scoring his third goal in his last match for the Florentines. His final tally for Fiorentina is 168 goals in 269 league appearances.

Signs for AS Roma for $33.8 million.

2000-2001 - Notches 20 goals in 28 matches to win the Serie A title.

2001-2002 - Injury and lack of form contribute to a disappointing second season at the Olympic stadium in which Batistuta manages only six goals. His last World Cup ends in sadness as Argentina are knocked out in the first phase. Batistuta confirms his international retirement.

2002-2003 - Frequently finds himself left on the bench by Roma before moving to Inter Milan.

2003 - Joins Al Arabi in Qatar.

2004 - Scores 25 goals in his first full year.

2005 - Ends contract with Al Arabi after injury problems and announces retirement.

GRAZIE, BATIGOL!



GOOD LUCK, DEAR GABRIEL!!!

Mariela

Yeah... my friends... Right now I'm sitting before the table that is covered with the collection
of magazines with articles about Bati... On the right side the article "Arrivederci Roma!"
in the magazine "Football" (26 feb - 4 mar 2001) it is about how Roma has lost Liverpool
in 1/8 final... I'm reading it and remembering how I was seeing it with my own eyes, and... it seems to me that ALL Bati's career was like
this match... Real indomitable warrior..., he always was fighting till the end, but sometimes
strong reasons, and sometimes his HEART made impossible to get what he wanted... And it was OUR
Bati... It was his spirit...

Now we will never see him scoring a goal and celebrating it... will never..., but Bati is with us!
Always! In our hearts!

I'm so happy that all of BatiFans were here together and I hope that we will not go away...
He (Batistuta) is no more Bati-Goal, but he is still and will be forever Bati, being coach
or even stopping being in football...

So Forza to any of you, and THANK YOU, BATI!
Let's be together!

Lexa

I have had time to reflect

I am gutted. I always had hope he would return to the big time however I knew I was kidding myself.

I have never loved a footballer so much. I supported Fiorentina then Roma then Inter. When you support a player rather than a team I think it is clear how much that player means to you.

Batistuta has made the right decision. Players like Romario have tarnished their reputation trying to play beyond their years. He truly reamins a legend.

I know I am not the only one when I say that Gabriel Omar Batistuta was the greatest striker of his generation and one of the greatest goal scorers world football has ever known.

Thank you Batistuta

mLIN.... who knows how to post these -ing pictures??????????????

well for me the saddest thing is this: that he went to qatar and scored 25 goals in 18 games, when that sort of form in any league shows that he could have at least had a crack at the premiership back at that time. he was fit and playing, and qatar was a waste.

even sadder, anyone remember the first time bati started to get injured? it was for fiorentina, in the season where he was set to break the goalscoring record in serie a, when oliver bierhoff fell on him during an aerial challenge and his ankle went.

do you guys realise, ever since that challenge he has never quite been the same player?

What really makes me sad is that he ended his career in this way. I always thought that he would end up in Fiorentina but not by having his contract cancelled. THey should have kept him on another 3 months so he could complete his contract!

true, it's a sad day. but it's the right time, he's had such an amazing career. FORZA BATISTUTA PER SEMPRE!!!!

Mark, You are right about the Bierhoff incident. That was definately the start of his injury problems.
Was that clash on the eve of his 30th birthday? I'm trying to find the video.
I always remember him crying in frustration at having to go off with that painful and potentially career ending injury. He had tried so hard to go on with the game.

Mariela, thanks for that picture tribute! Some of those pictures I've never seen before.

It was Sunday, 7th Feb 1999. I remember it well!
Like most of you, I was devastated... I was scared it was the end of his career... but it sure was the begining of his injury problems. I never, ever forgave Bierhoff!

Anyway, I've posted some news articles (in English) in the Bati News thread. If anyone finds any more can you post them there, so that we can keep them altogether?
That will leave the main body of the forum for people's personal messages.

There are so many threads now, I don't know which to leave messages in! I've still not quite come to terms with the news yet!

Still remember the match against ac milan.He was first injured in the match but still tried to finish the match. Thats one of the best memories ill never forget .

And for many of us he was the reason for watching serie A and all the clubs he played for . Personally I hope that he makes the best possible comeback as a coach.So that people also in the future will remember the name "batigol" and what it ment. With heart , body and soul :-)

What more can you say?

The man was as big, bad, and beautiful as they came. Every team would have wanted one if they could. I was already a mature football viewer by the time Batigol arrived on the scene (late 80's, early 90's), and watching him for River up till his end was really quite a thrill. The fact that a real major honor eluded him at Fiorentina matters little, for almost 10 years this complete foreigner to Firenze gave that city his heart and his goalscoring prowess.

One of the true greats of the last 20 years for certain. Argentina is proud of this son of her. Gabriel was always folowed here in Argentina, his retirement in 2002 (int scene) made many of the followers cry and felt all the agony Gabriel went though. You see many stars of the beautiful game every day you tune in to your tele sets or you go the estadio stands, some however wins the heart. not only with the virtue of their game but virtue of their dynamo personality and character. Gabriel is one of those true champions who won heartf of millions.

It does not surprise me at all when tifosi of Batigol (in this community forum) goes through the emotions. Gabriel is worth for it.

I'm so glad (honestly and frankly) that the BOY who started his career in liga many years ago has ended it a point where thousands admire him, millions favortise him and hundreds feel the emotions at his retirement. He deserve all this, a golden heart he is.

In Spanish, we would say:
Al César lo que es del César y a Dios lo que es de Dios.

Translate it to: Give credit where credit is due. (The literal translation is obviously different).

I feel so proud this day. Lets wish we all stay in focus, always remember him (even after decades to the present day) and keep in touch here as we often do, i 've developed a touch with this forum. (thanks to kate, jorge, jas, linda, mariela, christine, juventino, king .... infact countless names) who come here and support our beloved legend.

good luck to all of you, this forum board and BEST OF FORTUNES for Batigol for ever and ever.
aguante Gabriel

I will cry... for real...

one thing is to be said and only that...


WE LOVE U BATI... MAY U ALWAYS BE HAPPY AND HEALTHY IN UR LIFE...

When I saw his face in the picture tribute, it really hit me hard. This is a man that has been such an inspiration for me for over 14 yrs. I can only hope this forum will live on, to carry his progress as a future coach, relive memories, support our "adopted" country argentina and soo on.

The legend that is Gabriel is real, I have met and conversed with soo many fans from soooo many places its quite astonishing. Only a true champion can capture the hearts of sooo many millions, and I had a lot to do with his personality OFF the field.
Garbiel is indeed and will alwayz be an inspriation, we must say thanks to his parents and his wife Irina for molding into the man he is.
Gabriel
We will support you wherever you are!
Thankyou for those memories, passionate joyful moments and touching stories you gave us.
You will be missed on the field, we never gave up on you, we still believe you can play at the highest level, like shearer and bergkamp.
Daryl

katy....talking of players you dont forgive, listen to my story about fabio cannavaro.

i went to see roma play in the scudetto season, at home to perugia, and bati didnt score! i was upset a little. but anyway i thought id go next year.

so the next year, i went to see roma v parma. bati started and the atmosphere of the fans seemed like he was being encouraged to spring back to life in that game, he set up a chance for delvecchio and then minutes later he had a little space and the fans were encouraging him to shoot, coz at this time he was losing his confidence. he hit a shot wide, but he was really starting to live up.

then this!

in the box, bati went to head the ball. cannavaro went in with his foot and caught him in the head. bati did not get up. he was taken to hospital after 10 minutes. i was devastated. i went all that way to watch him and it looked like he could be having a good game then that happened. 2 games watched him at the stadium, no goals, and one hospital visit. how unlucky was i?

Well he gave all us a lot of pleasure, and what a great move to finish his football under more calm conditions, he really deserved that

Indeed he did Rene, I scored 5 goals today, that was my way of giving him a tribute.
Forza Gaby you were and always would be an inspiration to me.
Daryl

Goodbye to The Lion King. He is the reason I love fútbol and he will remain the greatest of them all. I don't know what else to say. It is a dark, dark day but my heart wishes the very best for Gabriel, the King.