Following a mediocre draw between Fiorentina and Torino at the weekend, supporters of La Viola were treated to a special appearance from hero Gabriel Batistuta later that afternoon. The Argentine striker stood on a specially constructed stage in the famous Piazza della Signoria in the city along with friends and family members in order to belatedly celebrate his 50th birthday.

Today’s @corrierefirenze reports that there were 6,000 fans in Piazza della Signoria yesterday to cheer Gabriel Batistuta’s 50th Birthday ? pic.twitter.com/lnoHVlutWs

— Chloe Beresford (@ChloeJBeresford) April 1, 2019

The superstar No. 9 made a total of 331 appearances for Fiorentina between 1991 and 2000, scoring an incredible 203 goals during that time. He is still adored in the Tuscan city, which is exactly why an estimated 6,000 fans packed out the square in order to catch a glimpse of the man who brought so much joy to the side. 

“When I travel the world, I represent Fiorentina in an unpaid capacity,” Batistuta said to those who had gathered. “My dream would be to do so in an official way.” 

On Sunday afternoon, Gabriel Batistuta was standing among some of Florence’s most precious Renaissance treasures. The crowd made sure to let him know that he too is something that this city holds dear.

Chloe Beresford specializes in Serie A for a number of outlets and can be found on Twitter and on Facebook via her page CalcioByChloe.