Roberto Baggio has expressed his determination to “overcome the fear” following a violent home invasion that left him needing medical attention.
The former Italy forward, 57, was watching Italy’s Euro 2024 match against Spain on Thursday evening when six criminals broke into his house in Altavilla Vicentina. Baggio was struck on the forehead with a pistol while trying to confront one of the assailants.
During the 40-minute ordeal, Baggio and his family were locked in a small room as the burglars stole watches, jewelry. And money before fleeing into the countryside just before the police arrived. Baggio required stitches for the wound on his head and was taken to the hospital. Although no one else was physically injured, Baggio admits that the psychological impact is significant.
“First of all, my family and I would like to thank everyone for the great affection we have received.” Baggio said in a statement released by his manager Vittorio Petrone. “Anything can happen in situations like this, and, fortunately, the violence I suffered only caused a few stitches, bruises, and a lot of fear. Now I have to overcome the fear.”
Baggio has been married to his wife Andreina for 34-years, and the couple has three children: Valentina, Mattia, and Leonardo. They reside in a large farmhouse-style villa in Altavilla Vicentina, near Vicenza in northeast Italy.
Known as “The Divine Ponytail,” Baggio is a legendary figure in Italy, having won the Ballon d’Or and enjoyed a storied career with clubs such as Fiorentina, Juventus, Milan, Inter, Bologna, and Brescia. He scored 27 goals in 56 matches for Italy and is the country’s top scorer in World Cup tournaments. Having netted in all three he played in.
Baggio’s status in Italian football is such that he was among a group of world-class former players invited by Italy coach Luciano Spalletti to meet the current squad before Euro 2024. Baggio, Alessandro Del Piero, Francesco Totti, Gianni Rivera, and Giancarlo Antognoni joined a pre-tournament camp to inspire the team.
Italy, the defending champions, are competing in Germany after winning Euro 2020 at Wembley by beating England on penalties. Spalletti’s side started with a 2-1 win over Albania but suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain on Thursday night. Riccardo Calafiori’s own goal was the difference, although Spain’s dominance could have resulted in a larger margin. Italy sits second in Group B, facing their final group match against Croatia in Leipzig on Monday.
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