Baggio: Grazie Italia!
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Roberto Baggio claims this was the happiest night of his international career and took the opportunity to thank his legions of fans.
"I wasn’t supposed to be on the field for that long,” he revealed, “but the Coach left me on longer hoping that I might score. It wasn’t to be.”
The Divine Ponytail did go very close to getting on the scoresheet with a free kick and first half header, but after 56 caps his tally remains at 27 goals.
This friendly game became a celebration for the 37-year-old who will retire at the end of this season.
“This is very satisfying for me and I must thank all those people who showed me such affection not only tonight, but throughout my career.”
However, Baggio did not suggest he would be back in the Azzurri jersey for the Euro 2004 tournament in Portugal.
“This was obviously a very special night for me as it is the last one. I really wanted to play and unfortunately wasn’t 100 per cent fit, but I now have a few more League games left.”
The veteran was even in doubt to feature for this friendly game, as he suffered a slight muscular problem during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Perugia.
“My leg troubled me again and this is one of the main reasons behind my decision to retire,” he confessed, “but I wanted this match so much that I played through the pain.”
The Stadio Luigi Ferraris was turned into a shrine to Baggio and he admits it was a moving experience.
“The nicest things said to me tonight were the banners and chants from the crowd. These are words that will remain etched upon my heart.”
There was also a special gift from his teammates to mark the occasion with a career first.
“I must thank Christian Panucci especially, as he was meant to wear the captain’s armband for the second half, but he handed it over to me. It was the first time I had ever worn it.”
Retirement now seems inevitable at the end of the season and Baggio tried to dampen reports he would stay on for another year at Brescia, Anderlecht or even Fiorentina.
“This moment is not easy for me, but it has to happen to everyone eventually. I thank all the clubs who have contacted me, but my choice has been made and it is unlikely I’ll go back on it.”
“I am nonetheless a professional and always aim to have the best, so if this means Euro 2004 I’ll be very happy. If not, I’ll still be content with what I have.”
Giovanni Trapattoni hinted during the press conference that he was considering Baggio as part of the squad flying to Portugal.
“Trapattoni said he leaves the door open for everyone and that also applies to me, but that is it. I already thank him for giving me this opportunity.”
When asked to look back over his long Italy career and find his favourite moment, Baggio took an unusual decision.
“Tonight is certainly the international match that I will love the most. In a career you go on to win many trophies and games, but it’s so rare to feel such emotion and love from a crowd.”
The 1993 FIFA World Player of the Year and Balon d’Or winner also mentioned who he considers to be his heir.
“Andrea Pirlo is a great player with immense talent and I think he will go on to become a fantastic star for Italy and Milan.”
Baggio is now walking towards the future and could give up on football altogether, although there are plenty of job offers as a pundit.
“I think that when I hang up my boots I’ll want to do something else with my life,” he smiled, “but we’ll see what happens in the future. Thank you to everyone.”
Thank you, Roberto.
