Roberto Baggio

Lore & Background

Roberto Baggio was born in Caldogno, Veneto, the sixth of eight siblings. He began his youth career at age nine with hometown team Caldogno, scoring 45 goals and providing 20 assists in 26 matches by age 11. At 13, he was acquired by Vicenza's youth team for £300. After scoring 110 goals in 120 matches, he made his professional debut with Vicenza in 1983 at age 15. In 1985, he shattered the ACL and meniscus of his right knee, but Fiorentina funded surgery and completed the transfer, a key reason for his attachment to the club.

Baggio played for seven Italian clubs: Vicenza, Fiorentina, Juventus, AC Milan, Bologna, Inter Milan, and Brescia. He won two Serie A titles, a Coppa Italia, and a UEFA Cup. In 1990, he moved from Fiorentina to Juventus for a world record transfer fee. He is known as Il Divin Codino ('The Divine Ponytail') for his hairstyle, talent, and Buddhist beliefs. He was nominated Goodwill Ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 2002 and received the Man of Peace award from the Nobel Peace Prize Laureates in 2010.

Reader's Guide

Roberto Baggio's significance lies in his extraordinary skill and impact on Italian football. He was named FIFA World Player of the Year and won the Ballon d'Or in 1993. In 1999, he came fourth in the FIFA Player of the Century internet poll and was chosen on the FIFA World Cup Dream Team in 2002. He played 56 matches for Italy and is the joint fourth-highest goalscorer for his national team. At the 1994 World Cup, he led Italy to the final, received the World Cup Silver Ball, and was named in the World Cup All-Star Team, though he missed the decisive penalty in the shootout against Brazil. He is the only Italian to score in three World Cups and holds the record for most World Cup goals for Italy (nine), along with Paolo Rossi and Christian Vieri.

In 2002, Baggio became the first Italian player in over 50 years to score more than 300 career goals; he is the fifth-highest scoring Italian in all competitions with 318 goals. In 2004, he became the first player in over 30 years to score 200 goals in Serie A, and is the seventh-highest goalscorer of all time in Serie A, with 205 goals. In 2003, he was the inaugural winner of the Golden Foot award. In 2011, he was the first footballer inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame. His legacy includes his human rights activism, recognized by the Man of Peace award in 2010.

Did You Know?

• Baggio is the only Italian to score in three World Cups.
• He holds the record for most World Cup goals for Italy (nine), along with Paolo Rossi and Christian Vieri.
• In 1990, he moved from Fiorentina to Juventus for a world record transfer fee.
• He was the first footballer inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"Roberto Baggio (18 February 1967) is a retired Italian footballer, who played in a playmaking role, either as a forward or attacking midfielder. He is also the former President of the Technical Sector of the FIGC." — Roberto Baggio "I knew what I had to do and my concentration was perfect. But I was so tired that I tried to hit the ball too hard." — Roberto Baggio "Baggio on his physical and mental state before taking the last penalty in the shoot-out of the 1994 World Cup final against Brazil." — Roberto Baggio "I have lost three World Cups, all on penalties. [...] If you'll allow me this, it really gets on my nerves." — Roberto Baggio