Roberto Baggio
Il Divin Codino: The Divine Ponytail, a maestro of curling free-kicks and unforgettable moments.
Roberto Baggio is an Italian former professional footballer who mainly played as a second striker or attacking midfielder. Born 18 February 1967, he is regarded by many as one of the greatest players of all time. A highly skillful creative playmaker and set piece specialist, he was renowned for his curling free-kicks, dribbling skills, and goalscoring. In 1993, he was named FIFA World Player of the Year and won the Ballon d'Or. In 2002, he was chosen on the FIFA World Cup Dream Team, and in 2004 he was named by Pelé in the FIFA 100.
Quick Facts
- Born
- 18 February 1967
- Birthplace
- Caldogno, Italy
- Height
- 1.74 m / 5 ft 9 in
- Position
- Second striker, Attacking midfielder
- Total caps
- 488
- Total goals
- 218
Lore & Background
Baggio's career is marked by extraordinary highs and a defining low. He starred for Italy at the 1994 World Cup, leading them to the final and winning the World Cup Silver Ball. He scored in three World Cups, and with nine goals holds the record for most World Cup goals for Italy, along with Paolo Rossi and Christian Vieri. Yet he missed the decisive penalty in the shootout of the final against Brazil. That moment, as much as his brilliance, shapes his legend. He played for seven Italian clubs, moving from Fiorentina to Juventus in 1990 for a world record transfer fee. He is known for his Buddhist beliefs and his ponytail hairstyle, which gave him the nickname Il Divin Codino.
Reader's Guide
In EA Sports FC, Baggio is an Icon who embodies creative playmaking. His real career saw him score his first Serie A goal from a free-kick on 10 May 1987 against Napoli. He led Fiorentina to the 1990 UEFA Cup final, losing to his future club Juventus. At Juventus, he scored 14 goals and provided 12 assists in his first Serie A season. He later played for AC Milan, Bologna, Inter Milan, and Brescia. He won two Serie A titles, a Coppa Italia, and a UEFA Cup. In 2004, he became the first player in over 30 years to score 200 goals in Serie A. Use him as a central playmaker. His dribbling and curling free-kicks are his signature weapons. He is best as a second striker or attacking midfielder, pulling strings and scoring from distance.
Did You Know?
- Baggio is the only Italian to score in three World Cups.
- He was named Goodwill Ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 2002.
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