Daniel Batista Lima


Daniel Batista Lima is a Greek former professional football player of Cape Verdean descent who played as a striker. He has been given the title "poor man's Gullit" by the Italian press after an impressive display against Torino. Batista's uncle, Noni Lima, already had a successful career in Greece at Panionios. Also Batista's nephew, Noni's son named Konstantinos Lima was a player of Kalloni F.C.

Club career

Batista played for Ethnikos Piraeus from 1987 until 1989 when he moved to AEK Athens FC. At AEK, Batista established himself as one of the best forwards of the Greek Championship. After the 1992 season, Batista made the jump to AEK's rivals Olympiacos F.C. He returned to AEK in 1995 and stayed there until the end of the 1999 season when he transferred to Aris. Batista retired after the 2001 season. Daniel Batista started his football career at Feyenoord Rotterdam. After playing there a while a good friend of him and also a Feyenoord supporter brought him to Greece to follow his career there.

International career

Having acquired Greek citizenship he debuted for the Greek national team being the first black sportsman to do so. He played 14 times scoring twice.

Managing career

After his playing days were over, Batista coached Diagoras F.C., Fostiras F.C., he was the director of football of Lamia F.C., head coach of A.O.Nea Ionia F.C and AEK Athens Under 20 team and a technical director of Niki Volou F.C..

Career statistics

Honours

AEK
Olympiacos