“I dreamt of playing in a World Cup final against Brazil ever since I was a child. I have no clear memory of why I nurtured that dream. I have never found a reason. A dream is simply a dream—it requires no explanation.”
These words come from a voice familiar to football enthusiasts around the world: Roberto Baggio. The legendary Italian playmaker opened his heart in a candid interview with Forbes Italia, reflecting on a career filled with brilliance, joy, and enduring heartbreak.
Today, as Baggio celebrates his 59th birthday, his reflections on past glories and agonies feel like a treasure trove for fans of the Azzurri’s golden era.
“I have always seen myself as an ordinary man, just like anyone else. I have never felt special. There is only one thing beyond my control—and that is my unwavering love for football. That passion runs so deep that entire days pass thinking about the game. I even used to fall asleep thinking about football,” Baggio said.
World Cup Journey
Baggio represented Italy in three FIFA World Cups, experiencing triumph, disappointment, and heartbreak. His international career in the tournament can be summarised as follows:
| World Cup | Year | Italy’s Finish | Notable Moment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Third Place | Hosted in Italy; finished 3rd | Baggio played a key role in midfield |
| 1994 | Runner-Up | USA | Missed decisive penalty in final shootout against Brazil |
| 1998 | Round of 8 | France won tournament | Italy eliminated in quarter-finals |
For all his achievements, a single regret continues to burn in Baggio’s memory: Italy’s repeated heartbreak in knockout rounds settled by penalty shootouts. The most painful of all was the 1994 World Cup final, where his missed penalty sealed Brazil’s triumph. The Italian legend has previously admitted, “After missing that penalty, I wanted to die.”
Speaking to Forbes Italia, Baggio recounted the emotional intensity of that time: “I wanted to win the ’94 World Cup at any cost—even if it meant exchanging the world for it. The night before the final, all I could think about was how to help Italy lift the trophy. Perhaps the dream would be realised through my bicycle kick. I never imagined that it would turn into a nightmare. We were one step away from glory—and then came the missed penalty. An unbelievable tragedy. I still carry that pain today.”
Even decades later, Roberto Baggio remains a symbol of talent, dedication, and the bittersweet nature of football—a man whose brilliance was sometimes shadowed by fate, yet whose legacy is forever immortalised.