Top 10 Amazing Facts about Roberto Baggio

Baggio with Italy in 1990. Photo by, Unknown author- Wikimedia

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Roberto Baggio

Roberto Baggio, also known as divine ponytail, was born on 18th Feb 1967. He is a retired professional footballer who bases his successful football career in Serie A. His parents are Matilde and Fiorindo and he has 7 siblings with him being the 6th born. 

Roberto is well known for having magic feet for he could comfortably juggle different offensive positions of football. Most importantly, he was a magnificent striker. Here are some of the facts that bring out the prominent individual, Roberto Baggio. 

1. Roberto Baggio started his football career at a tender age

A young Baggio with Lanerossi Vicenza, Photo by, Unknown author – Vicenza Calcio official website- Wikimedia

It is not known at what age he started kicking the ball. His youth career jumpstarted when he was scouted by his hometown youth team Caldogno, at the age of nine. 

At 11, his football career was sky high for he netted in 45 goals and provided 20 assists in just 26 matches. He had two hat tricks in one match. A move to Vicenza youth team was made when he was thirteen years of age. 

This was made possible by scout Antonia Mora who was equally impressed by the talent the young lad possessed. 

2. Roberto Baggio once got injured two days before his official transfer deal

On 5th May 1985,  Bagio dismantled both the anterior cruciate ligament and the meniscus of his right knee. He attempted a sliding tackle only to succumb to a serious injury.

This injury became a real threat to his football career as many doctors believed that Roberto would no longer play. As they say, 1% chance, 99% faith. Fiorentina retained their faith on him and were kind enough to pay for his medical bills. 

This act of kindness is the main reason as to why Roberto considers Fiorentina a vital home to his successful football career. 

3. Roberto Baggio changed his religion in 1985  from Christianity to Buddhist 

Buddha represented by Dharmacakra, Sanchi Stupa no. 3. Photo by, Photo Dharma from Sada Thailand- Wikimedia

He decided to do this after a long term fatal injury came through his career. Roberto was formerly a Roman Catholic, a religion he had picked up from his childhood life. 

He practices Nichiren Buddhism and is a stern member of the Soka Gakkai International Buddhist Organization.

The religion was truly embraced in him; and this was evident when he wore a captain’s armband which bore the colors of the religious school he had attended to learn all about Buddhism. These colors were yellow, blue and red.  

4. Roberto Baggio wrote an autobiography in 2001

Roberto Baggio jetted down an autobiography entitled ‘Una Porta Nel Cielo’ translating to ‘A Goal In The Sky’ which vividly brings out aspects such as career and change in religion. 

The book did not go unnoticed by the football society it won the award for the best football book at the 2002 Serie A Awards. 

5. Roberto Baggio played his first World Cup in 1990

Baggio with Italy in 1990. Photo by, Unknown author- Wikimedia

Every professional football player aspires and desires to represent his/her country in the World Cup. Roberto received his first call up to play for the azzurri( Italy’s National Team)in 1990. 

Roberto was mainly used as a substitute, appearing in five matches and starting in four them. Azeglio Vicini believed in using experienced players to bring out the desired wins needed. 

Though having minimal playing time, Roberto was able to display his football affluence and this brought about contradictions among the fans. 

They mainly contradicted and criticized the then manager of not giving Baggio adequate playing time. In the worldwide tournament, Baggio netted in two goals with one of them being considered as “goal of the tournament”.  

6. Roberto Baggio led his team to the World Cup Final for the first time in 12 years

Baggio was the star player under the new management of Arrigo Sachi. Though his efforts were futile in the group stage, this became a wake up call for his proficiency was evident in the knockout stages. 

One of the moments he brought out a much needed win to his team was when they were against Nigeria. At that time, they were one man down but luckily, they managed to secure a 2-1 win. 

He gave a deserved man of the match performance when he clinched two goals against Bulgaria. This victorious win gave them a clear path to the finals facing the football giants, Brazil. 

The club bearer with the whole Italy on his shoulders later on came to fail his team and his country at large.  This came shortly after he missed to score a penalty in spite of people believing that he had a high conversion rate. 

In his autobiography, he states that this was the worst moment of his entire life. Regrets and guilt cris-crossed his head for many years before he could take in the fact that human is error. 

7. Roberto Baggio is considered among the greatest penalty kick specialist in Italy 

Roberto Baggio on his debut with Lanerossi Vicenza. Photo by, Unknown author- Wikimedia

Even though he missed a crucial penalty in the 1994 World Cup, stats don’t lie as they base Roberto as a classic penalty taker. 

In his career, he was able to convert 108 out of 127 penalties, having a conversion rate of 85%. This conversion rate is the highest ever to be recorded in Italy’s football history. 

8. Roberto Baggio was once the president of the Italian Football Federation

In August 2010, Roberto Baggio was crowned president of the technical sector of the Italian Football Federation. He replaced his former national team manager Agezlio Vicini. 

On 23rd January 2013, Baggio quitted his job because the federation did not share the same ideologies with him. He was more into the idea of promoting youth footballers into the Serie A game. 

9. Roberto Baggio was named a Goodwill Ambassador on 2002

On 16 October 2002, Roberto was named a Goodwill Ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN(United Nations). Baggio practiced goodwill by contributing to victims of earthquakes and had been attacked by bird flu. 

His acts were later recognized for he was awarded the title “Man of Peace”  which was presented by the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates. 

10. Roberto Baggio married in a Roman Catholic style

Despite him converting to Buddhism, he tied the knot with his long term girlfriend Andreina Fabbi in 1989 to a traditional Roman Catholic Ceremony. They were blessed with two sons Leonardo(2005)and Mattia (1994) and a daughter Valentina(1990). 

Roberto Baggio shows people especially footballers that they should chase their dreams and hard work pays. Roberto Baggio was a different gravy when it comes to the football history at large.

His prowess to dribble the ball with both feet and shoot with amazing power, and also his eagle vision to give out amazing passes, was one to be emulated.