“Roberto Baggio: Italian football maestro, celebrated for skill and versatility, revered as one of the sport’s finest legends.”
Date of birth : 18 February 1967 (age 56)
Place of birth: Caldogno, Italy[2]
Height : 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) : Forward, attacking midfielder
About
Roberto Baggio OMRI, born on February 18, 1967, is a retired Italian footballer renowned for his versatility in offensive positions, predominantly as a second striker or attacking midfielder.
Regarded as one of the finest players in football history, Baggio was not only a gifted creative playmaker but also excelled in set pieces, displaying exceptional dribbling skills and goal-scoring prowess, especially through his trademark curling free-kicks.
His accolades speak volumes: in 1999, he secured the fourth spot in the FIFA Player of the Century internet poll and earned a place in the FIFA World Cup Dream Team in 2002.
Baggio’s illustrious career saw him claim the FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or awards in 1993. Notably, he was handpicked by Pelé for the FIFA 100, an esteemed list of the greatest living players in 2004.
Baggio’s impact extended to the international stage, representing Italy in 56 matches and scoring 27 goals. His notable feats include guiding Italy to a third-place finish in the 1990 FIFA World Cup .
And leading the team to the 1994 final, where despite his exceptional performance, he faced heartbreak after missing a crucial penalty in the shootout against Brazil.
A true legend, Baggio is the sole Italian player to score in three World Cup editions and holds the record for the most goals for Italy in World Cup tournaments alongside Paolo Rossi and Christian Vieri, with nine goals. His club career was equally remarkable, marked by significant milestones such as surpassing 300 career goals in 2002 and becoming the seventh-highest Serie A goal scorer with 205 goals.
Baggio’s legacy extends beyond the field; he was known as “The Divine Ponytail” for his distinctive hairstyle, talent, and adherence to Buddhist beliefs. His contributions transcended football, earning him titles like Goodwill Ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 2002 and the inaugural winner of the Golden Foot award in 2003. Moreover, his activism in human rights was recognized with the Man of Peace award by Nobel Peace Prize Laureates in 2010. His remarkable career culminated in being the first footballer inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
Throughout his illustrious career, spanning various clubs including Vicenza, Fiorentina, Juventus, AC Milan, Bologna, Inter Milan, and Brescia, Baggio left an indelible mark, amassing a total of 425 goals, including friendlies.
Early life
Born in Caldogno, Veneto, Roberto Baggio was the sixth of eight siblings to Matilde and Florindo Baggio. His brother Eddy, a footballer as well, competed in 86 Serie B matches.
Club Career
1976–1985: Early career and Vicenza
Baggio’s youth journey started at Caldogno, noticed at age nine and scoring prolifically. By 13, his talent landed him at Vicenza for £300 (500,000 Lit), scoring an impressive 110 goals in 120 matches before his professional debut at 15.
At 16, Baggio entered Serie C1 with Vicenza, debuting against Piacenza and scoring his first goal against Brescia. He marked his Coppa Italia Serie C goal in a victory over Legnano and showcased his prowess against Empoli in the tournament.
Under manager Bruno Giorgi during the 1984–85 Serie C1 season, Baggio’s 12 goals in 29 appearances were crucial in Vicenza’s Serie B promotion. His skill drew the attention of top clubs, especially Fiorentina, drawing comparisons to his idol Zico. Baggio’s excellence earned him the Guerin d’Oro as Serie C1’s Best Player in 1985.
However, tragedy struck near his Vicenza exit. Days before his transfer to Fiorentina, a devastating knee injury against Rimini jeopardized his career at 18. Despite doubts about his return, Fiorentina stood by him, finalizing the transfer and financing his surgery—a bond that remained strong throughout his career.
1985–1990: Fiorentina
Baggio’s transfer to Fiorentina in 1985 for £1.5 million marked the start of an enduring legacy. Despite initial setbacks, he endeared himself to the fans, emerging as one of the club’s finest. His debut Serie A season was marred by injury, but he salvaged their league position with a crucial equalizer against Napoli.
The 1988-89 campaign proved pivotal as Baggio’s brilliance shone, notching 15 Serie A goals, securing a UEFA Cup spot for Fiorentina. His partnership with Borgonovo, termed “B2,” showcased his prowess, earning acclaim from pundits and fans alike. Despite the team’s struggles in the 1989-90 season.
Baggio’s leadership propelled them to the UEFA Cup Final, where they fell to Juventus. His remarkable goal tally and recognition as the best under-23 player in Europe underscored his impact, leaving a legacy of 55 goals in 136 appearances for Fiorentina.
1990–1995: Juventus
Baggio’s transfer to Juventus in 1990 for a record fee of £8 million stirred controversy, leading to riots in Florence. Despite initial resistance from Juventus fans, his impactful first season saw him net 27 goals and emerge as a pivotal figure.
Under Giovanni Trapattoni, Baggio’s second season showcased his brilliance, finishing Serie A as the runner-up top scorer and leading Juventus to the UEFA Cup final. His ascendancy as a leader within the club started this season, setting the stage for remarkable achievements.
Appointed captain in 1992-93, Baggio delivered an exceptional year, securing the UEFA Cup and earning prestigious awards like the Ballon d’Or. His prolific goal-scoring form continued, cementing his status as Juventus’ top players, amassing 115 goals in 200 appearances during his five seasons.
1995–1997: AC Milan
Baggio’s departure from Juventus to AC Milan in 1995, prompted by a contract dispute and Juventus’ shift toward Alessandro Del Piero, stirred controversy among fans. Despite early injury setbacks, Baggio played a key role, contributing to Milan’s Serie A triumph in his debut season.
While initially recognized as the fans’ choice for the club’s top player, tensions arose between Baggio and manager Fabio Capello due to limited playing time. His second season faced upheaval under manager Óscar Tabárez and later Arrigo Sacchi,
Resulting in inconsistent performances and a turbulent relationship with Sacchi. Milan’s disappointing 11th-place finish in Serie A and exits from various tournaments marked a challenging stint for Baggio, who accumulated 19 goals in 67 appearances during his tenure at Milan.
1997–1998: Bologna
Baggio faced setbacks at Milan and Parma but found resurgence at Bologna, scoring a career-best of 22 Serie A goals. His stellar performance led Bologna to an eighth-place finish and UEFA Intertoto Cup qualification. Despite clashes with the manager, Renzo Ulivieri.
Baggio’s impact was undeniable, earning hero status among fans and securing a spot in Italy’s 1998 World Cup squad. His outstanding season garnered nominations for prestigious awards, showcasing his revival and enduring quality.
1998–2000: Inter Milan
Baggio’s move to Inter Milan after the 1998 World Cup faced challenges, including managerial changes and positional shifts, limiting his playing time. Despite notable moments, like his Champions League goals, Baggio struggled to secure a regular spot. Marcello Lippi’s appointment in 1999 led to further complications, with Baggio often sidelined or used sparingly.
Despite limited appearances, his impact remained, with crucial goals contributing to Inter’s fourth-place finish and a significant win against Parma to secure a Champions League spot, showcasing his professionalism despite strained relations with the coach.
2000–2004: Brescia
After leaving Inter Milan, Roberto Baggio joined Brescia in an effort to bolster the team and secure a spot in the 2002 World Cup. Despite initial injuries, he rallied with remarkable performances, scoring crucial goals and earning a nomination for the Ballon d’Or. Baggio’s significant impact led Brescia to their best Serie A finish and an Intertoto Cup qualification.
However, injuries plagued him during the 2001–2002 season, with a severe ACL tear and a subsequent meniscus injury limiting his playing time. Despite a heroic return and crucial goals that saved Brescia from relegation, Giovanni Trapattoni overlooked him for the World Cup squad. His subsequent seasons were marked by continued excellence, scoring his 300th career goal and eventually retiring with 205 Serie A goals, leaving an indelible mark on Brescia as their all-time leading scorer.
International Career
Youth career and senior debut
1990 FIFA World Cup
1994 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
Baggio, Italy’s fourth-highest all-time scorer at senior level, debuted under Azeglio Vicini in 1988. His breakthrough came in the 1990 World Cup, despite limited play time. Vicini’s choice to bench him drew criticism, but Baggio’s genius was evident, notably in his stunning goal against Czechoslovakia.
His contributions helped Italy reach the semi-finals, although they fell short against Argentina. His performance in the third-place match, assisting and stepping aside for Schillaci to score, was lauded despite a controversial offside ruling.
1994 saw Baggio as Italy’s main scorer in World Cup qualifiers, but injuries clouded his participation. His heroic displays in the tournament, scoring crucial goals in knockout matches, were overshadowed by the infamous missed penalty in the final shootout against Brazil.
Despite that moment, his brilliance earned him the Silver Ball and acclaim as one of the tournament’s best. His relationship with managers soured post-1994, culminating in disagreements with Arrigo Sacchi and limited call-ups, affecting his Euro 1996 chances. He resurged in the 1998 World Cup, scoring in three consecutive tournaments and guiding Italy to the quarter-finals before exiting on penalties against France.
