Exclusive: Fiorentina’s number 9, Lucas Beltran, talks about Paulo Dybala, Gabriel Batistuta, and the origins of his nickname, The Viking.

Lucas Beltran, the talented striker for Fiorentina, recently sat down for an exclusive interview with TNT Sports ahead of his team’s upcoming match against Lazio. The 22-year-old Argentine discussed his aspirations for the national team, his admiration for Gabriel Batistuta, and his friendship with Paulo Dybala.

Beltran, who joined Fiorentina from River Plate for €20 million last summer, has already made a significant impact, scoring eight goals in all competitions.

When asked about what comes to mind when thinking about Fiorentina in Argentina, Beltran immediately mentioned the legendary Gabriel Batistuta. “For us Argentinians, Fiorentina and Florence are synonymous with Gabriel Batistuta,” Beltran said. “And, of course, the many other Argentines who have played here. It fills me with pride to wear Batistuta’s shirt number (9). I hope to honor him by wearing it as much as possible and achieving great things.”

Beltran also discussed his journey from Colon to River Plate and the influence of his brother, Santiago. He revealed that when he was 14, both River Plate and Boca Juniors were interested in signing him. However, his brother’s allegiance to Boca made the decision easier. “When I had the opportunity to join River Plate, Boca also wanted me,” Beltran explained. “But my brother Santiago told me, ‘If you go there, I won’t watch your games anymore.’ So, I had little choice! The rivalry between the two teams is unique and incomparable to any other derby in the world. In Argentina, football is a way of life, and the Superclásico is the pinnacle of that passion.”

Beltran expressed his ambition to break into the Argentine national team, aiming to be part of the Copa America and the Olympics squads. He emphasized the importance of representing his country and eagerly awaits the coaches’ decisions.

In terms of his personal connections within the national team, Beltran revealed his close friendship with Roma star Paulo Dybala. The two have known each other since childhood, as Dybala played with Beltran’s brother. They remain close and often spend time together in Italy. “Paulo Dybala is a very good friend of my brother. They played together as children,” Beltran shared. “He slept at our house, and we consider him part of our family. We still see each other in Italy whenever we can. I also have friends who moved to Italy due to economic problems in Argentina, so I enjoy exploring different cities during my time off.”

Lastly, Beltran explained the origin of his nickname, “The Viking.” He earned this moniker during his time at Colón de Santa Fé, thanks to his blond hair, slightly longer beard, and fierce attitude on the pitch.

As Fiorentina prepares to face Lazio, fans can catch the action live on TNT Sports and discovery+.