Batistuta calls time on his career
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-14 09:15

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.

Argentinian international centre-forward Gabriel Batistuta, seen here in 2003, announced his retirement from football just two days after his lucrative contract with Qatari side Al-Arabi was cancelled.[AFP]

"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.

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