Roberto Baggio - A Detailed Overview
Early Life
Roberto Baggio was born on February 18, 1967, in Caldogno, Veneto, Italy. He grew up in a small town in the province of Vicenza, where he began playing football at a very young age. His undeniable talent was noticed early and soon he would be earning recognition as one of the most promising young players in Italy. From an early age, he was tagged with the nickname 'Il Divin Codino', which translates to ‘The Divine Ponytail’ for his distinctive hairdo.
Club Career – Vicenza
Baggio began his professional career at Vicenza in 1982 at the tender age of 15. Even though he was very young, he quickly became the star of the team and helped Vicenza gain promotion to Serie B, the second tier of Italian football, in his first season. His performance at Vicenza didn't go unnoticed and he soon caught the attention of bigger Italian clubs. He netted 12 times in 29 matches for Vicenza.
Club Career – Fiorentina
Baggio moved to Fiorentina in 1985 for a then record transfer fee for a teenager. During his career at Fiorentina, Baggio faced a major hurdle when a serious knee injury sidelined him for two years. Despite the long layoff due to injury, he returned back stronger. He became an iconic figure at Fiorentina, scoring 39 goals in 94 appearances. His performances helped Fiorentina to reach the UEFA Cup final in 1990, which they unfortunately lost to Juventus.
Club Career – Juventus
In 1990, Baggio transferred to Juventus, against his will and the fans of Fiorentina. His time at Juventus proved to be fruitful. He won his first Serie A title, the UEFA Cup and was also crowned FIFA World Player of the Year in 1993. Despite facing criticism and disagreements with the team's management, Baggio's immense talent was undeniable. He scored 78 goals in 141 appearances for the Bianconeri (as Juventus is colloquially referred to).
Club Career – AC Milan
In 1995, Baggio made a controversial move to AC Milan. Even though his stint with the club was marred with injuries and inconsistencies, he still had a successful run. He helped AC Milan win the Serie A title in the 1995-96 season. His tenure at AC Milan saw him score 12 times in 49 appearances.
Club Career – Bologna and Inter Milan
Baggio joined Bologna for the 1997-98 season, scripting one of the most successful seasons of his career. He scored 22 goals that season, the highest single-season tally of his career. His impressive performance earned him a move to Inter Milan. Unfortunately, his time at Inter Milan was a struggle due to disagreements with the coach and reduced playing time. He still managed 9 goals in 41 appearances.
Club Career – Brescia
In 2000, Baggio relocated to Brescia, where he got a chance to rebuild his career. Despite suffering from another severe injury during his time with the club, he came back stronger and ended up making key contributions to the team's performance. His performances helped Brescia maintain their status in Serie A. He retired from professional football in 2004 after scoring 45 goals in 95 appearances for Brescia, bringing his career total to 218 goals in 488 appearances.
International Career
Baggio's international career for Italy was laden with both brilliant and heartbreaking moments. Debuting in 1988, he became a crucial part of the team that reached the World Cup final in 1994, where he infamously missed the final penalty shootout against Brazil. Despite the disappointment, Baggio remains one of Italy's greatest ever players, scoring 27 goals in 56 appearances for the Azzurri.
Retirement and Post Football Career
Since retiring from professional football in 2004, Baggio had a short stint as the technical director of the Italian Football Federation. He has been involved in numerous charitable and humanitarian efforts, particularly as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization. Baggio has also been inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame.
Legacy
Roberto Baggio is often considered one of the best attacking midfielders and forward of all time, and one of the most technically gifted players ever. He was nominated in FIFA’s 100 list, by Pele, which honors the greatest living players. He was known for his precise free-kicks, skillful dribbling, vision, and accuracy from penalties. His professional career was marred by several severe injuries but despite these setbacks, his resilience, determination, and sheer skill ensured he left an indelible mark in the football world.