Serie A legend Gabriel Batistuta has announced his retirement from the game at the age of 36.
"I’m retiring from football and I thank everyone who has helped make my career so successful," said the former Fiorentina, Roma and Inter star.
"I will certainly continue in football in a different role," he added. "I will continue with my contractual, publicity and managerial commitments and finish my studies for coaching."
Batigol, as he was known in Italy, has decided to quit just days after he terminated his contract with Qatari club Al Arabi.
He took that step following an injury-plagued year in which he appeared in only three matches and scored no goals.
The Argentine joined Al Arabi in the summer of 2003 after spending over a decade in Italian football.
He joined Fiorentina in 1991 and became a Viola legend, staying there for nine years and even remaining loyal by playing in Serie B for a season following shock relegation.
He eventually left the Artemio Franchi in 2000 when Roma paid £20m for his services. He instantly paid them back with the goals that saw them lift Lo Scudetto.
Batistuta, who hit 56 goals in 78 internationals, ended his Italian career with a six-month loan spell at Inter once it became clear that his best days were behind him.
The striker, who played in the 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cup finals, started his career at Newell´s Old Boys in 1989.
He also spent six months with River Plate before moving to Buenos Aires rivals Boca Juniors.
"I’m retiring from football and I thank everyone who has helped make my career so successful," said the former Fiorentina, Roma and Inter star.
"I will certainly continue in football in a different role," he added. "I will continue with my contractual, publicity and managerial commitments and finish my studies for coaching."
Batigol, as he was known in Italy, has decided to quit just days after he terminated his contract with Qatari club Al Arabi.
He took that step following an injury-plagued year in which he appeared in only three matches and scored no goals.
The Argentine joined Al Arabi in the summer of 2003 after spending over a decade in Italian football.
He joined Fiorentina in 1991 and became a Viola legend, staying there for nine years and even remaining loyal by playing in Serie B for a season following shock relegation.
He eventually left the Artemio Franchi in 2000 when Roma paid £20m for his services. He instantly paid them back with the goals that saw them lift Lo Scudetto.
Batistuta, who hit 56 goals in 78 internationals, ended his Italian career with a six-month loan spell at Inter once it became clear that his best days were behind him.
The striker, who played in the 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cup finals, started his career at Newell´s Old Boys in 1989.
He also spent six months with River Plate before moving to Buenos Aires rivals Boca Juniors.
) and Inter in his career.
