Roberto Baggio at 50: Iconic Italian superstar who shone for Fiorentina and Juventus and should be remembered for more than 1994 World Cup final penalty miss
THE great Roberto Baggio turns 50 today.
He is one of the most iconic footballers of all time and arguably Italy’s greatest-ever player.
His world-record move to Juventus in 1990 caused anarchy on streets of Florence.
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But it’s a borderline travesty that his most famous moment is the lowest in any player’s career.
A distraught Baggio looking down with his hands on hips after blazing his penalty over the bar in World Cup final with Brazil goalkeeper, Claudio Taffarel screaming in ecstasy just yards is one of the game’s most famous images.
Il Divin Codino – The Divine Ponytail — had dragged Italy all the way at USA 94.
But it’s his miss which people will sadly remember him for.
Baggio made his senior debut for Vicenza at the age of 15.
His big move came three years later, in 1985, when was signed by Fiorentina for £1.5million.
However, just days later, he shattered his knee in a tackle and the deal was put on hold.
Baggio was held in such high regard that La Viola patiently waited and the deal went through.
Incredibly, he suffered another serious knee injury in his second season with the club.
Again, Fiorentina had faith in their star man — and it proved well-placed.
Despite fighting relegation in the league, Baggio led the club to the 1990 Uefa Cup final, where they would lose to Juventus.
Manager Aldo Agroppi claimed “the angels sing his legs”, while team-mate Miguel Montuori insisted he was “more productive than Diego Maradona” — who was revolutionising fellow Serie A side, Napoli, at that time — and “is without doubt the best No.10 in the league.”
That summer, his legend grew as Italy hosted the World Cup.
Baggio was often used as a substitute due in part to the impressive goal scoring feats of Salvatore Schillaci and netted the goal of the tournament with fine solo run against Czechoslovakia.
Italy would eventually go out in the semi-finals after losing to Argentina, with The Divine Ponytail scoring his and then hitting the opener in the 2-1 victory over England to finish third.
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That summer, he became the world’s most-expensive player when he moved to Juventus for £8m.
The Fiorentina president’s decision sparked riots in the city, as fans three bricks and Molotov cocktails at the club headquarters.
Baggio struggled to create a rapport with the Juventini, with reports he had refused to wear the club scarf during his presentation.
One incident in particular stands out in the memory when, in a match against his former club, he refused to take a penalty — despite being an expert from 12 yards.
The spot-kick was missed and, when he was later substituted, he picked up a Fiorentina scarf and put it around his neck as his sat on the bench.
Furious Bianconeri supporters turned up to the training ground 300-strong to demand an explanation.
The Juve No.10 captained the club to his first European honour in 1993, with Uefa Cup victory over Borussia Dortmund.
And, that year, he would win the Fifa World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or awards.
In 1994, came the lowest moment in his career when he missed his spot-kick at the Rose Bowl in front of 94,000 fans.
Baggio had scored five goals — three more than any other team-mate — as Italy reached the final.
His double against Bulgaria in the semi-finals had seen the Azzurri past Bulgaria.
And he’s also netted a late winner in the last-eight clash with Spain as well as an equaliser two minutes from against Nigeria in the last-16, before deciding the match with an extra-time penalty.
However, with Franco Baresi and Daniele Massaro having missed their spot-kicks against Brazil, Baggio had to score.
But he blazed his shot over and the rest was history.
His club form suffered as a consequence and, despite winning his first league title in 1995, Marcello Lippi decided to entrust a young Alessandro Del Piero with playmaker duties — and Baggio was shipped out to AC Milan.
He struggled in his first San Siro stint.
Despite a second league title in his first season, he was not a favourite of Fabio Capello and joined Bologna on a free in 1997.
At the Rossoblu, he enjoyed somewhat of a renaissance and scored a career high 22 Serie A goals.
He even made Cesare Maldini’s squad for the 1998 World Cup and, his goal against Chile made him the first Italian to do so in three separate tournaments.
Roberto Baggio achievements
Juventus
— Uefa Cup: 1992-93
— Serie A: 1994-95
— Coppa Italia: 1994-95
AC Milan
— Serie A: 1995-96
Italy
— World Cup third place: 1990
— World Cup runner up: 1994
Individual
— Ballon d'Or: 1993
— Fifa World Player of the Year: 1993
Baggio joined Inter Milan that summer but, the Nerazzurri’s dream of partnering him in attack with Ronaldo was shattered by the Brazilian’s injuries.
After two years, he moved to Brescia at the age of 33, where flourished until retiring four years later in 2004.
Among his team-mates was a young Andrea Pirlo, while Del Piero also cites Baggio as one of his greatest influences.
In 2000, he was voted Italy’s Player of the Century.
A true footballing legend whose devastating penalty miss should never overshadow his immense talent.
Baggio was received the Man of Peace award from the Nobel Peace Prize Laureates in 2010 and is celebrating his half century with the victims of the Amatrice earthquake victims.
Not only legendary footballer, but also a fantastic human being.