Ranking the top 10 strikers of the pre-Messi-Ronaldo Golden Age (1995-2005)

Modified Oct 18, 2017 17:57 GMT

Christian Vieri & Marcelo Salas were among the world-class strikers who did not make the list

#5 Gabriel Batistuta

With his flowing mane and ferocious shot, Batigol was a nightmare for defenders

The very definition of the term “lethal finisher”, Batigol or El Ángel Gabriel (The Angel Gabriel) as he was fondly called was one of the most recognizable strikers of this Golden Age and was super popular among fans of the game.

Quick and hard working with a shot guaranteed to tear nets and break bones, Batigol’s long flowing mane of glorious hair was not the only feature that stood him out a pantheon of great strikers.

His long and illustrious career at Fiorentina earned him the lifetime gratitude of the Florence faithful who built a statue in his honour.

A staggering 271 goals in 507 games is an enduring testament to his greatness. For a long time, his record as Argentina’s all-time top goalscorer (54 goals in 77 caps) stood before being broken by Lionel Messi (who else) in 2016.

Edited by Shambhu Ajith