August 3 – Roberto Baggio (pictured), one of Italy’s finest ever players, is set to return to football, joining Italy’s football federation (FIGC) after the national team’s disastrous exit from the World Cup.
Along with Baggio two other Italian football legends are set to join the FIGC.
Former Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi, 64, will coordinate the youth national teams, while Gianni Rivera, the first Italian player to win the “Ballon d’Or” or European Footballer of the Year trophy, will preside over the teaching and youth sector of the federation.
“I have said I am fully available to fill the role of President of the technical sector,” Baggio said, adding that he would have to wait for a FIGC board meeting tomorrow for his nomination to become official.
Baggio, 43, retired from football in 2004 after playing for Fiorentina, Juventus and AC Milan and starring for Italy in three World Cups, but leaving each one empty-handed, including at the United States in 1994 when his missed penalty in the shoot-out in the final against Brazil cost them the Cup.
After reigning champions Italy were embarrassingly bundled out of the South African tournament this summer, Baggio said he believes players and coaches in Italy focus to much on results, often at the expense of well-played football.
“In Spain, playing beautifully is what counts, even if you lose,” Baggio said.
“In Italy there is talent, but it’s important to let it take off, to support it with intelligence.
“Often, that doesn’t happen.”
The attacking midfielder became known as ‘the divine ponytail’ thanks to his hairstyle and late conversion to Buddhism.
Italy were knocked out of the World Cup in South Africa after a shock 3-2 defeat to Slovakia that left them at the bottom of what had looked like a fairly easy group, including Paraguay and rank outsiders New Zealand.