Roberto Baggio sadly looked back at his playing career, remembering the physical difficulties faced and the impact of the missed penalty at the World Cup in 1994.
The 1993 Ballon d’Or winner famously struggled with serious injuries throughout his career, forcing him to undergo a number of surgeries on his knees at different points across the years. His career almost didn’t get off the ground after a terrible cruciate ligament injury when he was a teenager.
Speaking to Corriere della Sera, Baggio reflected on his career and how he faced the various difficulties.
“Mine was a career of suffering. In the later period, I was annoyed that I was unable to do things with my teammates because of my aches and pains.
“It seemed like I was privileged, but instead I was a loser who couldn’t wait until Sunday to play because then came the nightmare, on Monday or Tuesday, with swollen knees.
“The last few games were heartbreaking. I was so shattered that my wife would come and help me out of the car.”
He then spoke about the psychological impact of his missed penalty in the shoot-out against Brazil in the 1994 World Cup final.
“Yes, it will never go away. Every now and then I tell myself that maybe if I had scored it would have been worse.”
Despite his injuries, Baggio was one of the most celebrated Italian footballers of all time, with many considering him to be among Italy’s all-time greats. He won league titles with Juventus and Milan and spent time with Fiorentina, Inter, Bologna and Brescia.
Baggio: "La mia è stata una carriera di sofferenza, le ultime partite furono uno strazio" https://t.co/MBvprQk0f4
— TUTTOmercatoWEB (@TuttoMercatoWeb) June 4, 2022
One of the greatest players of all time.
Baggio was the reason I love playing football and become a Juve supporter.
Greatest naturally talented player that ever lived bar none.
Agreed on all points Gamal. His performances at World Cup 1994 drew me into football. People mostly remember the missed PK in the final, but his performances in the USA were genious.
It’s ironic and unfair that a player like Baggio who always performed and never choked playing for the Azzurri is remembered for mmissing a penalty in a World Cup final shootout. A lot of great Serie A players since Baggio have excelled for their clubs yet always struggled and underperformed playing for Italy. For Baggio it never mattered what shirt he wore, it was seamless playing for the Azzurri and was no different to playing for his club(s)
Same as Gamal for me. Roberto Baggio was my boyhood hero and I still love him to this day. Inspirational and legendary. Sorry to hear about the pain he suffered throughout his career but I hope he realises the smiles he put on peoples faces, and that it was worth it. Grazie Roberto!