Argentina top scorer, Gabriel Batistuta was brought to tears earlier this week as he was inducted into Fiorentina’s Hall of Fame. The 45-year-old scored 168 goals for La Viola between 1991 and 2000 and and now 14 years on, Batigol’s achievements in Italy have been recognised.

At the ceremony, Batistuta said, “From the moment I arrived at Fiorentina I wanted a place in the history of the club – and now I can say I have succeeded.”

Without a shadow of doubt, Batistuta is one of the greatest centre forwards of the modern era, and Diego Maradona’s claim that he is the best striker that he saw is not without justification.

Strong and powerful, good in the air, pacy and skillful, Batistuta had everything. After his move from Boca Juniors to Florence in 1991, Batigol went on to score 168 goals in the famous purple shirt and quickly became a club hero.

Staying with the club through relegation and helping them gain immediate promotion as Serie B champions in 1992-93 and later rejecting several other moves only further enhanced his status.

He did eventually leave for Roma in 2000 and although he added more goals to his Italian tally, leaving him as the 11th highest scorer in Italian league history, he remains strongly associated with Fiorentina.