| ITALY | |
| 1982-2004 | |
| Vicenza (1982-1985) Fiorentina (1985-1990) Juventus (1990-1995) AC Milan (1995-1997) Bologna (1997-1998) Inter Milan (1998-2000) Brescia (2000-2004) | |
One of the most popular Italian players to play the game, Baggio more than lived up to the adoration and adulation of the fans. With his good looks and charisma, he became a bonafide superstar and ranks as possibly the most famous Italian player of all time. He wasn’t just flash, though, as he averaged nearly a goal every two matches despite playing his entire career in defensive-minded Italy, and he scored 27 times in 56 appearances for the Italian national team. Even his playing style was attractive, as he became known for his dazzling runs into the box, his ability to elude defenders, and his skill at flicking passes or shots with either foot.
Baggio won Serie A titles with both Juventus and AC Milan. He also won a Coppa Italia while with Juventus, and added a UEFA Cup title to his haul in 1995. Baggio won the Ballon d’Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year Award in 1993, after leading Juventus to the UEFA Cup and scoring 30 goals in all competitions. In 2002, he was named to FIFA’s All-Time Dream Team, alongside players like Pele, Maradona, Beckenbauer, Cruijff, and Platini.
Obviously, he is most famous (or infamous) for missing a penalty kick during the shootout in the 1994 World Cup Final against Brazil. While his miss didn’t cost the Italians the match, as Brazil were ahead and would have won if they had converted their next kick, his miss clinched the title for Brazil. The miss overshadowed what had been a great tournament for him, as he named to the World Cup Starting XI and his 5 goals were tied for second-most among all players. He also played well in 1990, scoring the “Goal of the Tournament” against Czechoslovakia, and in 1998, when he became the first Italian player to score in three World Cups.
He accomplished so much and he was such a special player that it’s a shame that many people only know about his penalty miss in 1994.
