Roberto Baggio

Roberto Baggio is retired Italian striker born on 18 February 1967 in Caldogno, Italy.

Roberto began his professional career with Vicenza in Serie C1 at the age of 15. During his stay with the club, he picked up two serious injuries to his knee which threatened to his future career. That induced Baggio to convert to Buddhism. In 1985, the player moved to Fiorentina where his career really picked up steam. He was an instrumental part of the team who reached the semi-finals in the 1985/86 Italian Cup and runner-up position in the 1989/90 UEFA Cup.

In 1990, Baggio was snapped up by giant Juventus. The transfer was outrageously met by Fiorentina fans. But it’s a tidbit that during a match against the Viola Baggio picked up a Fiorentina scarf thrown onto the field and kissed it saying that deep in his heart he was always purple. Baggio finally achieved his UEFA Cup success with the Juve in 1993 as he scored a brace in the finals against Borussia Dortmund. In the 1994/95 season, he claimed the Serie A title and the Coppa Italia trophy. All in all, the Italian striker scored 78 goals in 141 league matches for Juventus.

In 1995, Baggio moved to AC Milan. He had some disagreements with the club’s management as he was given little playing time at the club. Thus, in the 1997/98 season, Baggio transferred to Bologna and helped them to escape relegation that season. In 1998, the player switched to Internazionale though the move turned to be an unfortunate one for his ex-manager at Juventus, Marcello Lippi, now took charge over Inter and went on to disregard Baggio as it was at Juve.

In 2000, Baggio joined Brescia and played there until his retirement in 2004. He made a total of 45 goals in 95 league appearances during his spell at the club.

Roberto Baggio got much popularity playing for the Italy national team. He was a regular international for Italy since 1988 till 2004 amassing 27 goals in 56 matches. He was an instrumental part of the squad who reached the third position in the 1990 Worl Cup edition and finished as runner-up in the 1994 World Cup.