One of the most famous forwards in world football. “SE” decade after decade recalls the playing career of the striker.

ALMOST CALLED EDDIE

Florindo Baggio happy: his wife has just given birth to her sixth child, a boy. The father, a passionate cycling fan, immediately decides to name the newborn Eddie, in honor of the Belgian cyclist. Edward Merckx... At that time, Merckx, who later became the greatest cyclist of the twentieth century, was just starting his professional career, but Florindo Baggio already feels that great sport is somewhere nearby. Both in Merckx and in the newly born son.

And for sure the boy would be as great a cyclist as the Belgian, or even surpass his successes. But the mother insists that the newborn be named Roberto.

Without Robie yet. He is not up to the ball yet.

TEN YEARS: BECOME LIKE ZIKO

He is still in school, but his thoughts are already on the green lawn. Since the age of seven, Robie has been playing football in his hometown of Caldogno, and by the age of ten he already has a dream that has taken shape: to become like. Beat in the fall with scissors. Roundhouse kick without swing. On dribbling, enter the penalty area and roll the ball past the goalkeeper.

The Brazilian does all this in the stadiums of the world. Robie is in the clearing with his school friends. Runs, dodges, hits, misses. Runs again, leads again ... Until the evening.

At ten years, time is not considered a clock, but the presence or absence of the sun in the sky. The sun has disappeared - it means it's time to go home. Thousand-lux lighting masts for ten-year-olds are not built or ignited.

The Scudetto wins that season. Until the victory in the championship with the Turin club Robi is still far away.

TWENTY YEARS OLD: THANKS BARRETTI

Ten years - how long ago it was! A whole life is in the past. Roberto is already twenty. He had already managed to leave school two months before graduation, because at the age of 13 she was invited to her place, paying the club from Coldogno, where Roberto studied, 500 thousand lire. He already made his debut at the age of 16 for the main squad in Serie C, he has already scored the first goal in professional football, he has already become a favorite of the public.

A lot of things in the past. He already and "Vicenza" left, signing a contract with, which paid almost three billion lire for him. And two days after signing the contract, he received his first severe injury to the cruciate ligaments and the meniscus of his right knee ...

Piercesare Barretti- that was his name, the president "Fiorentina"... It was he who decided to leave Roberto at the club, despite the fact that he had the opportunity to break the contract with the player. Who knows, Roberto would have returned to the highest level if not for this man who hired the best doctors to restore Baggio's knee?

Gianni Rivera: "Baggio is the last romantic of football, the only player I see on the TV screen, I don't change the channel."

But this is also in the past, as well as the repeated trauma that occurred soon. Three months after his twenties, he will return to the pitch, score his first goal in Serie A from a free kick, and this ball will provide Fiorentine preservation of registration in the top division.

He will look at this beautiful goal with excitement. At the end of the first half, the Agrentina gave a pass for the move, and the account was opened. And now some Baggio is comparing him. And then, not even one hour, he will score, and Maradona and all of Naples need at least a draw ...

But Roberto never scored again. 1: 1, and the “scudetto” got it that season.

Diego Maradona: "Baggio is great, despite the fact that he was never able to reach his potential to the end."

THIRTY YEARS: THERE IS EVERYTHING

1997, he is thirty. He left Florence long ago to shed tears of rage, going into Juventus for a mind-boggling amount for those times of almost eight million euros in the current account - so much in Italy then no one paid for anyone. The groans of the city of art have long been drowned out by the screams of delight in Turin, with which Baggio took his first trophy - the UEFA Cup, scoring two goals in the first of two matches (this was the format of the final at the time).

And then there was the same penalty in the 1994 World Cup final.

But he has already been forgotten. Well, almost forgotten. Driven by new cups somewhere deep in memory. Behind the world-class partners in "Juve" - Vialli and Ravanelli... For two years in a row, "Divine Tail" raised the trophy of the Italian champion over his head. And not just in a row, but with different clubs, which no one has yet succeeded in - Juventus and Milan.

Leonardo:"He is a living legend because he was the symbol of two generations of football."

And this is also behind. In the year of his thirtieth birthday, the "scudetto" again took Juventus... But without Baggio.

FORTY YEARS: FOOTBALL - IN THE PAST

Behind him was a magical season with 22 goals scored in, where he, like in all his clubs, was a favorite. Behind the World Cup in France, where in the quarterfinals Baggio nevertheless scored a penalty kick, but “Squadra Azzurra” still lost.

Behind and an attempt to return to the top club - it became, with which it was possible to solve big problems. But he came to the Milan club, with which the striker did not get along since the times Juventus and this coaching reshuffle sent Baggio to the humble one.

The national team also went somewhere on a parallel course, the last match in a blue jersey for “Ponytail” was a friendly match with Spain in 2004. Draw, 1: 1. Fair and meaningless: Baggio did not go to the European Championship, the team failed there.

Roberto by that time decided everything for himself, and, having completed the 2003/04 season in "Brescia", brought his big football into the past. Career "Ponytail" after 643 club matches ended.

Josep Guardiola:"Baggio is a real celebration of football"

In 2007, when Baggio was forty, the "scudetto" took "Inter"... The very club that marked the beginning of his retirement.

FIFTY YEARS: EVERYTHING IN THE FUTURE

Baggio successfully trained for the UEFA Pro category, and can coach any team. Roberto has at least twenty years of coaching career ahead of him.

"Milan" or Juventus for a debut, of course, they are not very suitable - everything should develop gradually, year after year. The way his entire playing career went. Serie B or C is a good tournament to debut. Finally, "Vicenza", in which Baggio began his professional career, is now playing in Serie B.

And not to say that it plays successfully.

Roberto Baggio left the brightest mark in the history of world football. His game was enjoyed not only by Italian tiffozi, but also by millions of fans from other countries, recognizing the extraordinary talent of "Ponytail".

Born 02/18/1967

Career:

• Vicenza (1982-1985; 46 matches, 15 goals).
• Fiorentina (1985-1990; 135 matches, 55 goals).
• Juventus (1990-1995; 200 matches, 115 goals).
• Milan (1995-1997; 67 matches, 19 goals).
• Bologna (1997-1998; 33 matches, 23 goals).
• Inter (1998-2000; 58 matches, 15 goals).
• Brescia (2000-2004; 98 matches, 45 goals).
• Italy national team (1988-2004; 56 matches, 27 goals).

Team achievements:

• Silver medalist of the 1994 World Championship.
• Bronze medalist of the 1990 World Championship.
• 1993 UEFA Cup Winner.
• Champion of Italy 1995, 1996.
• Winner of the Italian Cup in 1995.

Personal achievements:

• FIFA 1993 footballer.
• Winner of the Golden Ball for the best football player in Europe in 1993.
• The best football player in Italy in 2001.

Start

Roberto was born near Vicenza, starting his football career in the team of the same name. At the age of 15, he became involved in training with the main squad and made his senior football debut in the 1982/1983 season. In fairness, we note that Baggio became truly indispensable in his team only two years later, when he was able to overcome the mark of 10 goals scored in a season for the first time.

Of course, it was too early to talk about the readiness of a barely legal player for Serie A, given that Baggio's scoring experience was two levels lower. However, this fact did not bother the management of Fiorentina, a regular at the highest echelon of Italian football.

Fiorentina star

Having moved to Florence, the young striker faced difficult trials. The first two seasons he had to watch almost all the games from the bench, and only after the 20-year milestone Baggio made his way to the base of Fiorentina. "Violets" in those years were far from fighting for medals in the championship, but nevertheless they could fight absolutely any favorite.

The more often the young striker appeared on the field, the more he attracted attention to himself. Uncommon technique, delivered blow, decent speed - Baggio possessed all the necessary qualities for a striker. In just a year, he went from understudy to the leader of the Florentine attacks.

Roberto finally earned his star status in 1990. For two consecutive seasons, his Serie A performance has never fallen below 15 goals scored. The newly-minted striker, which is logical, attracted the attention of the grand - he turned out to be Juventus from Turin.

When the transfer became known, riots broke out in Florence - Fiorentina fans could not accept this fact as an accomplished one, and then Baggio had to declare that not everything in this case depended on his desire.

1990 World Cup

In the summer of 1990, a football boom swept Italy - the country hosted the World Cup. All local fans longed for a repeat of the eight-year-old Squadra Azzurra triumph, but unfortunately it never happened. But the world saw firsthand the game of a great master.

Despite the fact that Baggio started the world championship as a substitute, for the game for third place with the British he was a solid main player and one of the main ideological inspirers of his national team's attacks, making a significant contribution to Italy's bronze medal.

Hero of Juventus

Having finally established himself in the status of a star of European football, Roberto finds himself in a team claiming victory in all tournaments in which he takes part. So, for five years in Turin, Baggio became the owner of the UEFA Cup, the champion and winner of the Italian Cup.

Roberto Baggio is the leader of Juventus

Despite the fact that from the first appearances on the lawn until the end of his career Baggio always stood out for his special football intellect and consistently kept a high level, we can safely say that he spent his best years in Juve.

The first half of the 90s - the period of his reign in Serie A, which needed a new hero after leaving the legendary Apennines. Having received a complete carte blanche, Roberto really worked on the field. Acting as a drawn forward and receiving the ball, as a rule, on the approaches to someone else's penalty area, he almost always made the right decisions, which usually led to scoring situations.

His scoring flair and ability to execute free kicks reached incredible levels, which allowed Baggio to regularly hit the opponents' goal. And this is in the championship, in which defensive play is especially appreciated, and the most popular score, raised to the cult, is 1: 0.

Of course, the success in the UEFA Cup and the feats in Serie A do not go unnoticed, and in 1993 Roberto deservedly received the "Golden Ball" for the best football player in Europe, which clearly demonstrates his fantastic level.

Roberto Baggio - 1993 Ballon d'Or winner

Savior and executioner of Italy

Baggio is not an upstart, so he was a candidate for the highest personal award a year later. Most likely, he would have received it if the tragedy had not happened to him in July 1994.

The Italian national team came to the World Cup by no means a favorite, which was confirmed by the first matches of the group stage, which the Italians overcame only thanks to a mathematical coincidence. Nothing foreshadowed a long journey of Italians in America, but then our hero got down to business.

Baggio has scored in three straight playoffs, with doubles in two of them. So, he practically single-handedly brought his compatriots to the final, in which the favorites were waiting for Italy - the Brazilians. To the Italians' credit, they were not much inferior to the magicians of the ball. As a result, in main and extra time, the teams were unable to hit each other's goal, and the winner was to be determined in a penalty shootout.

And then the Italians gave up, and the blunders were made by the seemingly iron Franco Baresi and Roberto Baggio, who was always distinguished by his ability to execute penalty shots. By launching the ball into the skies, he buried his country's hopes for gold and automatically lost the fight for the title of player of the year to Romario.

Milan disappointments

In the mid-90s, the Baggio star began to gradually descend from the football horizon. So, in the summer of 1995, after a conflict with Marcello Lippi, "Tail" moved to the camp of the main competitor of "Old Lady" - "Milan". And even though Baggio became the champion of Italy as part of the Milanese, celebrating success in Serie A for the second year in a row, the period of his stay in red and black colors cannot be called particularly successful.

His performance declined, and the game lost its former polish, although there were no external prerequisites for such a trend. If Baggio spent two seasons at Milan, he was based in the city of the same name for four years - at the turn of the century he played for Inter.

Summarizing his play for the blue-blacks, one can pick up similar expressions that characterize Baggio's stay in the camp of another Milan superclub. At Inter, Baggio no longer pretended to be the first violin in the attack, given that then the colors of the club were defended by the best striker in the world. In addition, Lippi got it in the capital of fashion, completely ruining an already not the best line in the striker's resume.

Rise from the ashes

However, between the Milan voyages, Baggio was a really successful super season. Once at Bologna, he was automatically written off by the press and fans. But Roberto did not give up and made him speak again about himself in enthusiastic tones. In 30 Serie A matches of the 1997/1998 season, he made 22 goalkeepers take the ball out of the goal and deservedly entered the list of 22 Italian players who went to defend the honor of their country at the World Cup.

True, as in the 1990 world championship, Baggio began the tournament on the bench. The head coach of the Italians made a bet on a younger prototype of Roberto - Alessandro Del Piero, who, although he was then at his peak, could not be noted with anything useful on the French fields.

But Baggio again managed to benefit his country. So, his two goals scored allowed the Italians to confidently overcome the group barrier, and Roberto himself, in the time allotted to him on the field, instilled confidence in the tiffozi that they have someone to rely on. And although Italy again blundered in the penalty shootout, Baggio could not be reproached for anything - he realized all his few chances and proved that in terms of talent he is still the undisputed number 1 in Italy.

"Brescia"

Baggio kept a consistently high level until the very end of his career, playing for the modest Brescia. Moving into it at the age of 33, Roberto became automatically the leader of the team for the next four years.

Of course, everyone around him understood that Baggio was playing out, but this can be done in different ways. Yes, he lost speed, but the wisdom of the game and football intelligence are still there. Roberto still performed the "standards" smartly, succeeded in the role of an assistant, fortunately, he always had an excellent vision of the field.

The success of his "swan song" is confirmed by statistics - in none of the four seasons spent for Brescia did Baggio score less than 10 goals, and in the 2001/2002 championship he gave a fantastic result - 11 goals in 12 matches.

Greatness

“Dozens” have always been on a special account with the demanding audience: Maradona, Platini, Baggio. The Italian maestro on the pitch was distinguished by intelligence, creativity and performance. With the exception of not the most successful seasons at Milan and Inter, Roberto has always and everywhere been a leader, one who led others by his own example.

And even though he missed the penalty shootout in the 1994 World Cup final, Baggio is a national hero for Italy. The benefit that he gave on the fields of the United States cannot be forgotten, and the common tragedy made people love their idol even more. Therefore, in a country where football ranks first in the list of sports games, Roberto will forever remain a legend.

Roberto was born in the town of Caldogno and was 6 of 8 brothers. From childhood, he showed an interest in sports and played for the local youth team for 9 years. After he once scored 6 goals in one match, the Vicenza scout convinced him to join the team.

After losing 3 years to Vicenza, in 1985 Roberto moved to Fiorentina. During the 5 years that he spent in Florence, Roberto became the idol of the local fans, who still consider him one of their best players of all time.

In the summer of 1990, Roberto Baggio took part in his first World Championship, and although he mainly comes out on substitutions, he still scores 2 goals, including the "Best goal of the tournament" against Czechoslovakia.

Later, despite protests from Fiorentina fans, Baggio moved to Juventus. The Turin club paid a record $ 13.5 million for it. Fiorentina fans unleashed riots in the streets of Florence after Robi crossed into the enemy camp. Roberto himself answered the fans, saying "I was forced to agree to this transfer."

During the match between Juventus and Fiorentina in 1990, Roberto refused to take a penalty against the former team and after being replaced, he picked up the Violet scarf thrown on the field by a Florentine fan and kissed it. "Deep in my heart, I am always purple," he would say later.

And yet, with his game, Roberto won the favor of the Juventus fans.

In 1993, with Juventus, Baggio won his only European trophy, the UEFA Cup. In the final, Roby scored 2 goals.

His level of play was so high that in the same year he was named European Footballer of the Year and FIFA Player of the Year.

Also in 1993, Roberto married his girlfriend, Andreina Fabbri. They have 3 children - daughter Valentina and sons Mattia and Riccardo.

In the summer of 1994, Baggio takes part in his second World Championship.

He drags Sat on his shoulders. Italy to the final, in which "Squadra Azzurra" is inferior to Sat. Brazil in a penalty shootout, and Roberto himself becomes a tragic hero of the tournament, not scoring his 11-meter.

In 1995 Baggio won his first Scudetto with Juventus.

In the summer, after strong pressure from Silvio Berlusconi, Baggio was sold to Milan. With Milan, Roberto also wins the Scudetto and becomes the first player to win the Scudetto 2 years in a row with different clubs.

In 1997, to revitalize his career, Baggio moved to Bologna, where he scored his personal record of 22 goals per season.

Baggio receives an invitation to the national team for the 1998 World Championship. Having scored a goal in this tournament, Roberto becomes the only Italian player to score goals in 3 World Championships.

After that, Roberto goes to Inter. For him, this was an unsuccessful transition, since he never found a common language with coach Marcello Lippi, who did not particularly appreciate Baggio. Because of this, Roberto lost his place in the national team.

Later in his autobiography, Roberto wrote that Lippi deprived him of his place on the team because he refused to point him to Inter players who spoke negatively about the coach.

His last help to Inter was the 2 goals he scored against Parma in the playoffs for last place in the Champions League. Inter won 3-1. This game was further proof of Baggio's highest professionalism, which he demonstrated throughout his career: the president of Inter openly stated that Lippi would only retain his place if he took the team to the Champions League, but Baggio knew that due to his bad relationship with Lippi , it will also mean that he will have to leave the team, which ultimately happened - after 2 years spent in Inter in order to have a chance to get to the 2002 World Cup, Baggio moved to Brescia.

Roberto Baggio was born in Caldogno, Vicenza province on February 18, 1967. He began his football career in the amateur team of the same name, playing for which he attracted the attention of breeders of "Vicenza", a team serving in Serie C1. At the age of fourteen, Roberto was in the club's youth team, and a year later in the main one. In the 1984-85 season, he scored 12 goals in 29 games, which allowed his team to achieve a promotion and get into Serie B. But the game of eighteen Baggio has already attracted the attention of several clubs in Serie A. Fiorentina turned out to be the most generous of all, and Roberto moved to Florence. In one of the last days of the season, playing for Vicenza, he receives a serious injury to his right knee, but the president of Fiorentina Piercesare Baretti was not embarrassed by this circumstance and he still continues to believe in Roberto and gives him a chance. In the 1985-1986 season, he never entered the field for the Florentine club. For many months he worked in the gym on a special recovery program, bringing himself to the point of exhaustion. In Serie A he made his debut on September 21, 1986 against Sampdoria, and his first goal in the top division was scored on May 10, 1987 in a match against Diego Maradona's Napoli. The progress of the young footballer did not go unnoticed and he was invited to the national team. He played his first match wearing a Squadra Azzurra shirt on November 16, 1988years with the Dutch national team in Rome. The last season, which Baggio spent at Fiorentina, was very successful for the player. He scored 17 goals in 32 appearances and helped the club advance to the UEFA Cup final, where Fiorentina lost to Juventus in the final. Turin “Juventus” became interested in Baggio after the final match of the UEFA Cup. The management of Juventus paid for Baggio a record amount at that time - $ 17 million. Fiorentina fans were very unhappy with the departure of the player, who had already become their idol. To show their displeasure, they trashed the streets of Florence. In response to comments from fans, Baggio said: "I was forced to accept the invitation"... In Florence, Baggio was never forgiven. Every time he came to play with Fiorentina in Juventus, and then other clubs, he was invariably greeted with a whistle.

After the end of the World Cup, Baggio began his journey with Juventus, which lasted for five years. During these years he won the Championship, the Italian Cup and the UEFA Cup with Juventus. In 1993 he received the Golden Ball award, a year later Baggio became the hero of the 1994 World Championship, and at the same time one of its main losers. The final match brought a great disappointment to the Italian national team. A tough match with the Brazilian national team, even after extra time, ended in a goalless draw. And in the penalty shootout the Italians went wrong from the very beginning. The first beat the captain of the team Baresi, but the goalkeeper of the Brazilians Taffarel managed to reflect the blow. However, the goalkeeper of the Italians Palyuka also managed to defend his goal. After the first three hits, the score was 2: 2. However, the fourth Italian - Massaro - again struck unsuccessfully, and the Brazilian Dunga converted his blow. The last of the Italians to reach the penalty spot was Roberto Baggio. He definitely had to score, then the Italians still had some chance, but the ball flew over the crossbar. Affected by fatigue, and besides, Baggio went to the final match with a hamstring sprain.

In 1995 Baggio won his first Scudetto with Juventus.

Further Baggio found it more and more difficult to find a place in Juventus, in those years Alessandro Del Piero began to show himself. Baggio was only offered to stay at the club if he agreed to 1/3 of the salary he received. Baggio decided to leave Juventus and after prolonged pressure from Milan president Silvio Berlusconi he was sold to the Rossoneri. The decision to move to Milan was a big mistake for a footballer's career. The fact is that he was not a first-team player, and Capello's coach released Baggio only for replacements, but nevertheless he became the first footballer to win the Italian Championship two years in a row with different teams. Roberto decides to leave Milan next summer. Baggio decided to start all over again at Bologna, in which he is reborn and sets a new personal record - 22 goals in 30 games. The coach of the national team, Cesare Maldini, was “forced”, due to the great success, to call Roberto to the 1998 World Cup in France.

But in France, Maldini made a bet on Del Piero, and Baggio was forced to be on the bench almost all the time and only occasionally came out as a substitute.

Maldini's decision undermines the internal balance, which may be why the Italians failed this championship. This time Baggio scored his goal from the penalty spot, but nevertheless the Italians lost again, missing the French national team in the semifinals, which eventually became the World Champion. Baggio will score two goals, becoming the only Italian player to score in three different World Cups.

In the same summer he moved to Inter. The transition turned out to be an unfortunate decision, as the coach of the club Marcello Lippi did not like Baggio. This led to the player losing his place in the national team, but when Roberto Baggio only appeared on the field, the fan was never disappointed. In his autobiography, Baggio later wrote that Lippi skillfully “suppressed” him only because he refused to tell the coach which of the “Inter” players spoke negatively about him. Those were not the best times for Inter, the team changed coaches (Simoni, Lucescu, Castellini, Hodgson), which did not allow Baggio to show his best playing qualities. The final contribution to the history of the club's victories were two goals scored by Baggio against Parma in the match for the final ticket to the Champions League.

Baggio decided to return to the provincial team, moving to “Brescia” under the leadership of Carlo Mazzone, with the stated goal of taking part in the 2002 World Cup. The goal set cannot be coped, partly due to a left knee injury, which affects in some cases the decisive season. preventing getting into the national team. The last game for the national team was on April 28, 2004 with the Spanish national team in Genoa. Roberto Baggio, with a total of 27 goals in 56 appearances for the national team, became the fifth most scoring player in its history. He is the only Italian footballer to have scored goals in three World Cups at once. There are nine in total, making Baggio Italy's top scorer in the World Cup finals alongside Christian Vieri and Paolo Rossi.

On March 14, 2004, against Parma, Roberto Baggio scored his 200th goal in Serie A, thus repeating the achievements of such great players as Silvio Piola, Gunnar Nordal, Giuseppe Meazza and Jose Altafini. The legendary player scored his 300th goal on December 16, 2002 in the home match of Brescia against Piacenza (3: 1). He became the first player in more than 50 years to reach this mark - ahead only Piola (364) and Meazza (338).

Baggio continued to play at Brescia until 2004, when he announced his retirement. He played his last game on May 16 at San Siro against Milan. In the 88th minute, Brescia coach Gianni De Biazi replaced Baggio, allowing him to receive a well-deserved applause from the stands, which were filled to capacity. Baggio's number 10 jersey has been retired for good at Brescia.

Personal life.

Married to Andreina Fabbi. Three children: Valentina (born 1991), Mattia (born 1994), Leonardo (born 2005).

Baggio writes an autobiography entitled Gateway to Heaven.

On October 16, 2002, Roberto Baggio was named Goodwill Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The religion of Baggio is Buddhism. "At times I dream in the middle of the season to take refuge in a temple, somewhere in India, to be in a contemplative state for some time, relax and gain mental strength to continue fighting on several fronts at once. Unfortunately, this pleasure is available to me only in the offseason."- says Baggio. Robie had many different nicknames. "The wet rabbit" - the creation of Agnelli, even now is usually remembered in connection with the penalty that was not scored in the penalty shootout in the final of the World Championship - 94. "Divine Tail" - the most common nickname for Robie has become a thing of the past, since Baggio parted with this famous detail of her hair. "My nicknames are countless, many I don't even remember myself, but I try to treat everyone with humor. Perhaps the most pleasant nickname I've ever received is" Fantasista"(" dreamer "," inventor "). It at least corresponds to what I try to do on the field."- says Roberto

On his 40th birthday (February 18, 2007) he opened a new website to communicate with fans. So, it says that Baggio is not going to return to "big" football, preferring to exchange lines with his fans in blogs.

In March 2008 Baggio, who has owned a ranch in Argentina for many years, gave a great interviewGazzetta Dello Sport... In it, he discussed many topics, including the commands he now supports: “Boca Juniors” “How did I become a fan of it? Seven or eight years ago I watched an Argentinean championship match on TV. Some of the teams were losing 4-0. sang and danced like crazy. I then said - well, why should I win 4-0. And they told me - no, these are the ones who lost. They were the Boca Juniors fans. And since then I fell in love. For them there is only “Boca”, all week they live only for the sake of their team, only for her. And then, Argentina delights me, here I feel incredibly free ".

August 2010 marks the return of Roberto Baggio to Italian football. He was named President of the Technical Sector of the Italian Football Federation, replacing Azzello Vicini.

In November 2010, Baggio was awarded the World Peace Prize, an annual prize awarded to Nobel Peace Prize laureates.This is how the Nobel Committee noted his merits in the field of charity..

What this footballer did on the football field is incomprehensible to the mind. He knew how to create a goal out of nothing. Excellent technique, speed, impact - it was impossible not to fall in love with this player. To this day, he is an idol for many football fans and young footballers. But how did he achieve this success?

The beginning of the divine tail career

In 1967, in the small town of Caldogno, which is located near Vicenza, the sixth child was born in the family of a simple locksmith Fiorindo and his wife Matilda. Little Roberto became attached to football since childhood. Of course, the father would have preferred the career of cyclists for his sons, because he himself was an avid fan of this sport. But no one ever made his father's dream come true.

From the age of seven to fourteen, Roby played for the local team, and then moved to Vicenza, becoming the main player a year later. His brilliant performance attracted the attention of more established clubs. In 1985 Roberto Baggio signs a contract with Fiorentina. But the last season at Vicenza was marred by a terrible injury - a rupture of the cruciate ligaments of the right knee. Many players did not manage to return to the big sport after such injuries, but not Baggio. He will miss almost 2 seasons, having played only 5 games.

Fortunately for Roberto and all the fans, Baggio spent his remaining three seasons with the Florence club without injury. He demonstrated the highest level of play. And in his last season for the Violets, he will score 17 goals and lead the club to the UEFA Cup final. What a shock it was for the fans that their favorite moves to Juventus. After that, adoration turned into hatred. But Roberto understood that it was time to move on. Dissatisfied fans stormed Fiorentina's office for a long time protesting against its sale, and Roby himself went to his first World Championship in 1990. Unfortunately, Italy only won bronze medals.

As part of Juventus, Baggio revealed his talent and played even brighter. In the first season, he wins a place in the first team and shows excellent performance. In the 1991/92 season, he becomes the second top scorer in the Italian championship with 18 goals, and a year later he scores 21 goals in the championship and sets a personal performance record. In 1993 he was named FIFA Player of the Year and won the Ballon d'Or, the European Player of the Year award. He dedicated this success to Daisaku Ikeda, the spiritual mentor of Roberto, under whose influence the Italian became a supporter of Buddhism.

The 1993/94 season was not so bright for Baggio - leaving the UEFA Cup and only the second place in the championship. But the World Championship was supposed to take place in the summer and all of Italy was waiting for this tournament. Italy was one of the favorites and Baggio was to be the star. At the tournament, the Italians with a creak left the group. Roberto helped the team get to the final, scoring in every playoff match and the team was only one step away from the title.

He will always remember the match after which he never managed to recover. First of all, psychologically. Everything was against him that day. A tough match in forty-degree heat against the Brazilians ended in a draw. Everything was decided on a penalty kick. When Baggio approached the ball, his team was losing 3: 2 and Roby had to score. But then, the man who set the absolute record for penalty kicks for the whole of Italian football did not score his goal. So the hero of the nation became its main loser.

And although in the 1994/95 season he will win both the Italian Cup and the championship, the brilliance in his game will disappear somewhere. In 1995, Baggio will move to Milan, in which he will win his second championship. After spending two seasons at Milan, Roby signs a contract with Bologna. There was another World Championship on the horizon and Baggio wanted to get to it. And he got his chance. But in the quarterfinals, Italy again lost on penalties.

Baggio managed to play 6 more seasons in big football: 2 seasons in an Inter's shirt and 4 years with Brescia. Roby wanted to play for the 2002 World Cup, but the national team coach decided to do without him. The last season for Robie was 2003/2004.

Beliefs of the "Raphael of Modern Football"

He got the nickname "divine ponytail" because of his hairstyle - being a Buddhist, he preferred to collect long strands of hair in a ponytail. After the final match in 1994, he was handed the crushing label of a "soaked rabbit".

But the most capacious characteristic for Roberto was given by Gianni Agnelli, an Italian entrepreneur and the main shareholder of FIAT. Gianni named him the Raphael of the 20th century, because Baggio turned football and his game into a high art. Roberto Baggio is actively practicing Buddhism. He opens new Buddhist centers in Italy and is actively involved in charity work.

Personal life of Roberto Baggio

He met his wife, Adriana Fabbie, back in the days when he was far from football. He found his woman, who supported him in everything and gave him three wonderful children: a girl Valentina and two boys - Mattia and Leonardo. Baggio values ​​his family very much and tries to devote as much time as possible to her. Indeed, in addition to his children, he also has many nephews.

Roberto is a Goodwill Ambassador for the FAO, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and holder of the Order of Merit for the Italian Republic. Baggio also published an autobiography called "The Gate" or "Ball in the Sky". In it, the author spoke about many of his conflicts with coaches.

Recognizable divine ponytail style

Without a doubt, Roberto Baggio became recognizable thanks to his pigtail, which he began to wear largely due to his religion. In 1997, Baggio decides to change his image and shaves the top of his head and his ponytail, and shares the cut hair between friends and relatives. But very soon it will grow its "divine tail" again. Baggio has always been distinguished by his extravagance of appearance, so even after the end of his career, he could see a pierced ear.

Strict suits have always been to Roberto's face and he never missed an opportunity to wear them. When choosing clothes, Baggio prefers shirts in dark colors, which are harmoniously combined with elegant scarves and sunglasses. He wears shirts at any time of the year and in any weather. If it's cold outside, he just needs to put on a light jacket or jacket.

Despite his 50 years, Roberto still looks elegant and stylish. His look is complemented by a neat goatee-style beard. A light gray hair only adorns him, giving his image of wisdom and solidity.

Roberto Baggio is definitely one of the greatest players in the history of football and a very strong-minded person. His career was full of disappointments and obstacles, but he managed to overcome everything thanks to his perseverance, the support of his family and his faith in himself!