Fernando Ariel Batista (born 20 August 1970) is an Argentine football manager and former player who played as a defender.

Born in Buenos Aires, Batista started his playing career with Argentine top flight side Argentinos Juniors, where he made 134 league appearances and scored four goals.

[4] In 2017, Batista was a part of Claudio Úbeda's staff at the Argentina national under-20 team, being his assistant in the 2017 South American U-20 Championship and the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

[8] He finished second in the 2019 South American U-20 Championship,[9] qualifying the nation to the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where they were knocked out by Mali in the round of 16.

[14] Batista led the Vinotinto to a perfect group stage in the 2024 Copa América, winning all three matches against Ecuador, Mexico and Jamaica.