Final whistle for Batigol

Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina8217;s all-time scoring leader and a former Fiorentina and as Roma star, announced that he was retiring from soccer. 8220;I8217;m retiring for good,8221; the 36-year-old striker said yesterday in a statement released from Doha, Qatar, where he has played the last year-and-a-half for Qatari Club Al-Arabi.

Plagued by knee injuries, he announced on Saturday he was ending his contract prematurely with Al-Arabi, where he moved in 2003 after playing briefly with Inter Milan. Batistuta, who retired from Argentina8217;s national team three years ago, is the squad8217;s leading scorer with 56 goals in 77 games, and played on the country8217;s 1994, 1998, and 2002 World Cup teams.

He also led Argentina to Copa America titles in 1991 and 1993. 8220;Gabriel has lost his enthusiasm for the sport,8221; his agent, Settimio Aloisio told the Argentine news agency Noticias Argentinas.

8220;He thought it was better he left the game now, before it left him,8221; he said.

Batistuta debuted in 1988 in Argentina8217;s first division with Newell8217;s Old Boys, joining River Plate a year later before starring at Boca Juniors in 1990, where he quickly caught the attention of European clubs.