Biography of Roberto Baggio

The imagination, from head to toe

February 18, 1967 Roberto Baggio, one of the greatest champions that Italy has had one of the best known worldwide, was born on February 18, 1967 in Caldogno, Vicenza. He's a kid when her father tries to convey to him the love for cycling. But Roberto played football and did it with great imagination, technique and creativity. Start playing in the hometown team. At the age of 15 years goes to Vicenza in serie C. Not yet of legal age, in 1984/85 season, he scored 12 goals in 29 matches and help the team to go to serie B. The serie A does not escape the talented Roberto Baggio: is ingaggaiato from Fiorentina. He made his debut in the top flight on September 21, 1986 against Sampdoria. His first goal coming on May 10, 1987, against Napoli. National debut dates back to November 16, 1988, against the Netherlands. Stay with Fiorentina until 1990, becoming a symbol of an entire city. As you might expect the separation is traumatic, especially for the fans, who see norne in Turin, from one's hated flying enemies of Juventus. Then comes the all-important World Cup Italy ' 90 household appointment. These are the notti magiche di Totò Schillaci and Gianluca Vialli. Roberto Baggio begins his first World Championship on the bench; in the third race coach Azeglio Vicini puts Baggio to play in pairs with the unrestrained Schillaci. Against Czechoslovakia marks a memorable network. The Italy thanks to goals from Argentina in the semifinal where the comes of Baggio feared Diego Armando Maradona, which will eliminate the blues on penalties. Baggio scored 78 goals in Juventus five championships. These were the years when it reaches the pinnacle of his career. In 1993 he won the prestigious Ballon d'Or FIFA World Player award in 1994. With the White Jersey he won a League title, a Uefa Cup and a coppa Italy. On the bench that guide the azzurri at the World Cup USA ' 94 sits Arrigo Sacchi. Baggio is highly anticipated and it does not disappoint. Although relations with the coach won't be happy, playing 7 games and scored 5 goals, all very important. The Italy arrives in the final where he finds the Brazil. The match ends in a draw and once again the result is entrusted to the lottery of penalties. Baggio, one of the heroes of this adventure is the last to pull: his shot ends up over the bar. The Cup was Brazil. Juventus decided to focus on the promising young Alessandro Del Piero and Baggio was sold to AC Milan. Playing only two seasons in Milan, where it is considered only a substitute. Fabio Capello fails to place it in its box and although eventually will win the scudetto, the contribution of Baggio to AC Milan will seem negligible. Baggio accepts the offer comes from Bologna. He finds himself playing with the rossoblu to the unusual (for him) goal of salvation; However the Bologna plays a great League and Baggio looks back superb. Once again lives a little serena situation with his coach, Renzo Ulivieri, to earn a starting spot. Baggio threatens to leave but the company manages to reconcile the two. Will come to score 22 goals in 30 matches, his personal best. The Bologna you save with confidence and Roberto Baggio is summoned to third world championship. France ' 98 World Cup Baggio is considered the reserve of fantasista Alessandro Del Piero but disappoint. Baggio played 4 games and scored 2 goals. The Italy reaches the quarterfinals where is deleted from France which then will win the prestigious tournament. President Massimo Moratti, always fond admirer of Roberto Baggio, the offers to play for Inter. For Baggio is a great chance to stay in Italy and play again at the highest level. The results are mixed, though. In the Champions League, in Milan, Baggio scored to Real Madrid allowing Inter to go through. But a few days after qualifying the coach Gigi Simoni, with whom Baggio has a great value, it is replaced. The season will turn toward a meltdown. The second year of Baggio with Inter is marked by the difficult relationship with the new coach Marcello Lippi. The two meet after the adventure juventina, but Lippi excludes Baggio owners. Once again finds herself starting from the bench. Nevertheless, just get a chance to play shows all his talent, scoring decisive networks. Relations with Marcello Lippi though do not improve. Expired contract with Inter Milan, Baggio accepts the offer of the newly promoted Brescia. With this shirt, under the leadership of veteran coach Carlo Mazzone, Roberto Baggio arrives to sign its network number 200 in serie A, entering with great merit to the Olympus of prolific scorer, along with historical names such as Silvio Piola, Gunnar Nordhal, Giuseppe Meazza and José Altafini. Closes his career with Brescia on May 16, 2004; to his credit include 205 goals in serie A and 27 goals in 56 appearances for the national team. Buddhist devotee since Florence, nicknamed "Divin Codino", has also written an autobiography: "a door in the sky," published in 2001, where he tells the overcoming of the difficult times, as he came back stronger after the serious injury, and where she continued her difficult relations with past coaches, but also praising the talents of others including Giovanni Trapattoni, Carlo Mazzone and Gigi Simoni. In the summer of 2010 is back on the front pages of newspapers on two occasions: he travels to retreat at Coverciano to achieve the certified trainer of third category and federal level candidate to fill managerial tasks.
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.