Roberto Baggio
The Divine Ponytail who led Fiorentina to the 1990 UEFA Cup final.
Roberto Baggio (born 18 February 1967) is an Italian former professional footballer who mainly played as a second striker, or as an attacking midfielder. He is also the former president of the technical sector of the Italian Football Federation. A highly skillful creative playmaker and set piece specialist, renowned for his curling free-kicks, dribbling skills, and goalscoring, Baggio is regarded by many as one of the greatest players of all time.
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
Fiorentina purchased Baggio in 1985 for £1.5 million. During his time at the club, despite initial injuries, he became extremely popular, and is regarded as one of the club's best ever players. Baggio led Fiorentina to a Coppa Italia quarter-final during the 1988–89 season, scoring nine goals. He also led the club to the 1990 UEFA Cup final, only to be defeated by his future club, Juventus. With 17 goals, Baggio was the second-highest goalscorer in the 1989–90 Serie A season, and was awarded the Bravo Award as the best under-23 player in European competitions. With Fiorentina, Baggio scored 55 goals in 136 appearances, 39 of which were in Serie A, from 94 appearances.
Reader's Guide
Baggio is known as 'The Divine Ponytail', for the hairstyle he wore for most of his career, for his talent, and for his Buddhist beliefs. He played for seven different Italian clubs during his career: Vicenza, Fiorentina, Juventus, AC Milan, Bologna, Inter Milan, and Brescia. In 1990, he moved from Fiorentina to Juventus for a world record transfer fee. Baggio won two Serie A titles, a Coppa Italia, and a UEFA Cup.
Did You Know?
- Baggio is the only Italian to score in three World Cups, and with nine goals holds the record for most goals scored in World Cup tournaments for Italy, along with Paolo Rossi and Christian Vieri.
- In 1993, he was named FIFA World Player of the Year and won the Ballon d'Or.
- Baggio became the first Italian player in over 50 years to score more than 300 career goals; he is the fifth-highest scoring Italian in all competitions with 318 goals.
- In 2004, during the final season of his career, Baggio became the first player in over 30 years to score 200 goals in Serie A.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kit number is associated with Baggio at Fiorentina?
Roberto Baggio wore the number 10 shirt throughout his four-year stint with the club. This jersey became synonymous with his leadership and creative playmaking style.
Where did he transfer from before joining Florence?
The Italian legend arrived in 1991 after leaving Brescia to join Fiorentina. His arrival signaled a transformative era for the team during the early nineties.
What was his biggest competitive achievement with the club?
Baggio helped guide Fiorentina to the UEFA Cup semi-finals during the 1993-94 campaign. This run remains one of the most celebrated moments of his career in purple and white.
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