Italy’s 1993 Ballon d’Or winner, Roberto Baggio, experienced a harrowing ordeal when he was robbed at gunpoint and subsequently hospitalized while watching his country’s Euro 2024 match against Spain from his home.
The 57-year-old was observing Italy’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in Germany on television Thursday night when five armed assailants forced their way into his residence near Vicenza in northeastern Italy.
Known to fans as the ‘Divine Ponytail,’ Baggio attempted to fend off the intruders but was struck on the forehead with the butt of a gun by one of the robbers.
He and his family were then confined to a room while the burglars ransacked the villa in search of money and jewelry.
According to Corriere della Sera, the ordeal lasted approximately 40 minutes. Once he was certain the intruders had left, Baggio managed to break down the door and alert the police.
He was transported to the hospital, where he received stitches for his injuries.
Baggio, capped 56 times for Italy, had an illustrious career with Juventus, Inter Milan, and AC Milan, securing two Serie A titles and the UEFA Cup in 1993. He was a key figure in Italy’s journey to the 1994 World Cup final, although his missed penalty in the decisive match against Brazil remains a poignant moment in Azzurri history.
