He might have hung up his boots 12 years ago but there’s no denying that Gabriel Batistuta was one of the best forwards around.

The Argentine who turns 48, made a name for himself in Italy after moving to Fiorentina in 1991.

Despite being relegated two seasons later, he remained at the club, winning promotion soon after. In front of goal, he was prolific, scoring 168 times in 269 appearances in Florence, winning the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana and remains the club’s all-time top scorer.

His form saw him switch to Roma where he added a Serie A medal to his collection in 2001.

On the international stage, he scored 56 goals in 78 matches for his nation and is the only player to have scored two hat-tricks in two World Cup finals (1994 and19 98). He won two Copa America titles in 1991 and 1993.

Other sports stars born on this day:

1982: Shoaib Malik, former Pakistan captain, who has taken more than 100 ODI wickets (35).

1981: Graeme Smith, ex-batsman who skippered South Africa to the top of the Test rankings (36).

1987: Giuseppe Rossi, striker who now plies his trade for Celta Vigo. Had signed for Manchester United (30).

1987: Ronda Rousey, former UFC Women’s Bantamweight champion and Olympic 2008 judo medalist (30).