Robert Lewandowski admits his passion for Italian football, saying he had an Inter shirt as a child, but he ‘can’t choose’ between Roberto Baggio and Alessandro Del Piero.
The Poland international won Tuttosport’s Golden Player for the second year in a row. In an interview with the Turin-based paper, the striker spoke about his passion for Italian football and the most credible candidates to win the Champions League this season.
“It will be hard [to win the Champions League] in 2022, but we’ll try,” the Bayern Munich star said.
“We know we’ll have to beat Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, PSG and Real Madrid to win the title.”
Who are the toughest defenders he’s ever faced?
“I name two: Giorgio Chiellini and Sergio Ramos. They are tough and physically very strong. They know all the tricks of the trade, but they are always correct on the pitch. It’s hard, but also funny, to play against them.
“I used to follow Serie A football,” the striker continued.
“There are big clubs in Italy, such as Inter, Milan, Juventus and Roma. I had an Inter shirt as a child. I like to watch Serie A games because there was an incredible atmosphere.
“Roberto Baggio and Alessandro Del Piero were my favourite players, Baggio was a sort of idol.
“I loved his style and his hair. I also had a similar ponytail for some time when I was a kid. Then I became passionate about Del Piero, but I can’t really choose between them.”
The 33-year-old has scored 27 goals in 22 games across all competitions at a club level this season.
Somehow he did not manage to win the Ballon d’Or, which was given to Leo Messi for the seventh time in his career.
Lewandowski’s contract with Bayern Munich expires in June 2023.
He has never played in Serie A, but was close to joining Genoa in 2010. He even underwent medical examinations with the Grifone, but the deal collapsed because the club eventually decided not to sign him.
Lewandowski: «Chiellini il difensore che soffro di più. Idoli Del Piero e Baggio» – https://t.co/EDlZSxSWPR pic.twitter.com/1SxAdvcpny
— JuventusNews24.com (@junews24com) December 11, 2021
Del Piero is not fit to lace Baggio’s laces, in my opinion.
Del Piero the greatest of all time!
Baggio all day long!
Too diplomatic. BAGGIO!
Baggio for sure
Del Piero was a fantastic player. Baggio is an all time great, up there with the very best.
I struggle to think of an attribute where Del Piero had the edge. Baggio was faster, a better dribbler, better passer, better at set-pieces, a more clinical finisher. He also thrived for Italy, whereas Del Piero was generally a big diasppointment in the blue shirt – terrible in France 98, especially in the quarter final against the hosts and also the Euro 2000 final where he had several clear chances to kill the game off only to waste them
It’s a great pity that both players suffered so much with injuries, especially Baggio. Even though he had a great career, it’ scary to think what he could have achieved had he not destroyed his knee when he was only 18.
Baggio.
Forza Lewa — the true Balon D’Or Winner.
Messi!!!!
There’s only one Divine!
Why people always forget Del Piero lost one of his leg in 99? Without that injury, Baggio is NOTHING to Del Piero. Heck, for me Del Piero is greater than Baggio.
He’s on an illustrious journey on his early stardom when that bastard Bertoto shattered his leg. He’s winning everything. Imagine what will he become if… Damn.
People forget his nickname, Il Fenomeno Vero. It was created by Serie A watchers especially Juventini, to mock the so called “Phenomenon” Ronaldo, yes that arguably the greatest striker ever Ronaldo. No other player was called that by then. It means, people recognised Del Piero as Ronaldo equal. Not Baggio. Not Inzaghi. Not Vieri.
Even with that broken leg Del Piero managed to stay at Juve, still scoring goals, became a Capocannoniere in Serie A. “Duh, nobody wants him”. Yeah right. So was Baggio. After Del Piero replaced him at Juve, he went to Milan, Bologna, Inter, Brescia. Not Real, or MU… you know, big clubs in Erope on par with Juve in those day…