On his 59th birthday, Italian football icon Roberto Baggio reflected on a career filled with brilliance, devotion, and unforgettable heartbreak. In an exclusive interview with Forbes Italia, the legendary playmaker opened up about his lifelong love of football, the highs of representing Italy on the world stage, and the one moment that continues to haunt him decades later.
“Since childhood, I dreamt of playing a World Cup final against Brazil. I don’t recall why I nurtured that dream—it just existed. Dreams don’t need an explanation,” Baggio said, his voice echoing a quiet passion that modern football fans may find unfamiliar.
Baggio described himself as “an ordinary man, just like anyone else.” Yet, he admits one aspect of his life was beyond his control: his unrelenting devotion to football. “From morning until night, I would live in thought about the game. At times, I would fall asleep thinking about football,” he recalled, underscoring the depth of his commitment that shaped a generation of Italian football.
World Cup Journey
Baggio played in three FIFA World Cups, experiencing both the thrill of glory and the agony of defeat:
| Year | World Cup Outcome | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Third place | Italy hosted the tournament; Baggio emerged as a key creative force |
| 1994 | Runner-up | Lost to Brazil on penalties; Baggio missed decisive penalty |
| 1998 | Round of 16 | Italy eliminated by France, who went on to win the tournament |
Despite his illustrious career, a single regret remains—the missed penalty in the 1994 World Cup final against Brazil. “After missing that penalty, I wanted to die,” Baggio admitted. The miss denied Italy the trophy by the narrowest of margins, transforming what had been the cusp of triumph into enduring heartbreak.
Baggio recounted the night before the final: “I kept thinking about how we could win the World Cup. I imagined Italy’s dream fulfilled by my bicycle kick. I never anticipated that the dream would turn into a nightmare. I was a step away from glory, and then came the penalty miss—an unbelievable tragedy. I carry that pain with me even today.”
His words highlight not only the pressure of being a world-class athlete but also the emotional weight carried by football legends. For Baggio, football was more than a game—it was a lifelong devotion, one that brought both unparalleled joy and unforgettable sorrow.
At 59, Roberto Baggio remains a symbol of Italian football’s golden era, a figure whose triumphs inspire and whose heartbreaks humanise the beautiful game.