Baggio: Three Italy World Cup eliminations ‘not easy to digest’

Italy legend Roberto Baggio still carries a ‘weight’ for missing a decisive penalty kick against Brazil in the 1994 World Cup Final: ‘I lost three World Cups on penalties, not easy to digest.’

Italy legend Baggio said his penalty kick miss in the 1994 World Cup Final was “the greatest bitterness of my football career.”

Advertisement

Baggio ‘dreamed’ of World Cup Final against Brazil

“I grew up with the dream of a World Cup Final against Brazil. I don’t have a clear memory of why this goal has stayed with me since I was very young, through my entire life,” Baggio told Forbes Italia via Gazzetta.

“I have always considered myself an ordinary person. Just like everyone else. I never saw myself as special. I only had this uncontrollable passion for football. A passion that stirs something inside you from morning to night. I slept with the ball.

Advertisement

Italian former football player Roberto Baggio (R) and Argentine-born Italian former football player, David Trezeguet (L) gesture before the beginning of the Argentina 2023 U-20 World Cup final match between Uruguay and Italy at the Estadio Unico Diego Armando Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, on June 11, 2023. (Photo by Alejandro PAGNI / AFP) (Photo by ALEJANDRO PAGNI/AFP via Getty Images)

“I would have given up everything else to win that World Cup. I was representing Italy. It was the goal I was always chasing. The last thought before going to sleep was how to win that World Cup. Maybe by scoring a bicycle kick.

Advertisement

“Then it turned out in a way I never would have imagined, and I will never be able to forget it. Just one step away from the finish line. The greatest bitterness of my football career, an unbelievable personal tragedy, I still carry that weight inside me.”

FLORENCE, ITALY – JUNE 03: Roberto Baggio looks on during a press conference at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on June 03, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Baggio took part in three World Cups. The Azzurri finished third in 1990, runners-up in 1994 and were eliminated in the quarter-finals by eventual winners France in 1998.

“I played in three World Cups. In Italy [1990], we finished third, winning six matches and drawing one. I lost three World Cups on penalties, not easy to digest,” he concluded.

Source link

Visited 1 times, 1 visit(s) today

Related Article

Biggest Endorsement Deals for Premier League Footballers in 2026

Image rights may be a bigger part of American sports but as the Premier League continues to go global, we are seeing its footballing stars become their own brands more and more. While David Beckham initially blazed the trail to crossover success, he was soon followed by Cristiano Ronaldo, with modern players seeing a lot

Arsenal Turn to Liverpool Cult Hero for Premier League Title Boost—Report

Arsenal are determined to elevate their already exceptional set-piece prowess after it was reported the Gunners have begun taking advice from Liverpool’s famed former throw-in coach, Thomas Grønnemark. Rival fans mocked Jürgen Klopp for having a throw-in coach, which was a novel concept during the early years of Grønnemark’s time at Liverpool from 2018 to

Serie A clubs and coaches don’t care about Italy national team, newspaper says

Francesco Pio Esposito scores for Italy against Norway in the 2026 World Cup qualifier (@azzurri) There will be no Italy training camp taking place in February, just a month before a World Cup play-off semifinal against Northern Ireland, prompting Corriere della Sera to claim that Serie A clubs, coaches and even Italian TV networks

Bayern Munich’s Jonah Kusi-Asare to remain with Fulham for duration of loan stint

1 Kerry Hau reports that Bayern Munich attacker Jonah Kusi-Asare will be remaining with Fulham FC for the duration of his loan stint. Some recent rumor mill chatter suggested that the 18-year-old would be recalled from his loan stint early. The Sky Germany journalist nevertheless claims that Kusi-Asare’s Premier League outfit finds itself pleased with

I ‘would have given my life’ for a coach, ‘my transfer fee was 0’

MILAN, ITALY: Roberto Baggio kicks a corner against AC Milan, during their Italian Serie A football match at San Siro stadium in Milan, 16 May 2004. For the season’s last match, AC Milan celebrates its Italy’s 17th champions title as Brescia’s Roberto Baggio plays his final match before hanging up his boots. AFP PHOTO/Carlo BARONCINI

Serie A | Como 1-1 Bologna: Baturina magic, Cambiaghi hero and villain

COMO, ITALY – JANUARY 10: Niccolo’ Cambiaghi (L) of Bologna FC walks off after getting a red card during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Bologna FC 1909 at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on January 10, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) A moment of magic from Martin Baturina in

Serie A official line-ups: Atalanta vs. Torino

Nikola Krstovic hopes to build on a midweek brace with Charles De Ketelaere, as Atalanta aim to climb the table against unpredictable Torino. It kicks off at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET). Advertisement You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A

West Ham United join the race to sign Champions League forward

West Ham’s January window has already carried a sense of quiet urgency, a feeling that incremental change rather than grand overhaul will define Nuno Espirito Santo’s first transfer period in charge. News from Italy, credited to Gianluca Di Marzio, that the club have entered talks to sign Benfica winger Andreas Schjelderup fits neatly into that

Sunderland Target €5M European Champion Amid Everton, Benfica Interest

Sunderland secured a crucial victory to advance to the next round of the FA Cup, eliminating Everton after a 1-1 aggregate draw and winning on penalties thanks to the performance of goalkeeper Robin Roefs. The match was closely contested for both teams, but Sunderland came out on top and will continue their FA Cup campaign.

Pablo Mari leaves Fiorentina camp and is ready for Inzaghi’s Al-Hilal at age 32

FLORENCE, ITALY – OCTOBER 2: Pablo Mari’ of ACF Fiorentina gestures during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between ACF Fiorentina and SK Sigma Olomouc at Stadio Artemio Franchi on October 2, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images) Fiorentina defender Pablo Mari has left the Viola training ground,

Spanish Super Cup: Full List of Winners

The Supercopa de España has long garnered attention from across the globe—no matter its format. The competition has been altered dramatically since its inception all the way back in 1982, but its ever-changing configuration hasn’t detracted from its prestige. The Supercopa de España was originally a two-legged contest between the winners of La Liga and

Man Utd vs. Brighton—FA Cup Third Round: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Manchester United host the final of four all-Premier League ties in the FA Cup third round when they face Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon. Uncertainty continues to engulf the Red Devils following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim. Darren Fletcher will be on the touchline for the upcoming clash with the Seagulls but United

Heidenheim set to sign Sirlord Conteh’s younger brother Christian Conteh on €2m deal

1 Florian Plettenberg reports that Heidenheim are on the verge of completing a highly interesting January transfer. The Ostalbenschwaben are evidently set to pick up winger Sirlord Conteh’s younger brother Christian Conteh from Eintracht Braunschweig. The 26-year-old Christian is reportedly due in BaWü on Monday for a medical.  Christian shall end up costing FCH approximately

‘Atalanta enjoyed their football, I am very proud’ of 3rd straight victory

BERGAMO, ITALY – JANUARY 10: Raffaele Palladino Head Coach of Atalanta BC looks on prior to the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Torino FC at Gewiss Stadium on January 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images) Raffaele Palladino is ‘proud’ of Atalanta’s run of three consecutive victories after beating

New San Siro has planned ‘tunnel club’ for AC Milan and Inter fans

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 14: Outside view of the stadium prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna FC 1909 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Milan and Inter are planning a Tunnel Club for their new San Siro stadium, in

Rosenior makes flying start as Chelsea rout Charlton in FA Cup | National

Chelsea’s new manager Liam Rosenior enjoyed the perfect start to his reign as the Blues thrashed Charlton 5-1 in the FA Cup third round on Saturday. Jorrel Hato bagged his first goal for Chelsea late in the first half at The Valley and Tosin Adarabioyo doubled the visitors’ lead soon after the interval. Although Miles

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x