Roberto Baggio has had kind words to say about a few of the current playmakers starring in Serie A, whilst also sharing his thoughts on this season so far.
The fantasista legend was speaking during his return to Florence for the Pitti Uomo 91 fashion event to promote a future Diadora heritage line.
Baggio spent many years in Florence, becoming the darling of the Fiorentina tifosi before a controversial transfer to Juventus in 1990, adding extra spice to an already fiery rivalry. With the two sides coincidentally meeting this weekend, the great Number 10 shared some of his feelings and thoughts on a few teams in Serie A this season.
Being back in Florence always makes me happy, I spent the important years, intense, beautiful; full of great memories. I also have a brother who lives here.
Fiorentina-Juve? I am always in the middle, always important – I hope both are serene and spectacular.
How can you not consider Juve the favourite [for the Scudetto]? Five championships in a row are not won by chance and they are doing very well in this first part of the season. The secret is their club organisation, which obtains the best players for each position, adding depth.
But both Luciano Spalletti’s Roma and Maurizio Sarri’s Napoli play very good football. They are very entertaining and achieve success via a style of football that not everyone can offer.”
As Baggio was met and shared an embrace with another former Fiorentina Number 10 great at the event, Giancarlo Antognoni, talk turned to current playmakers, and who Il Divin Codino admires presently.
Many players are doing well with the Number 10 shirt. Totti is fantastic, there are no words. It is not easy at his age continue to be a champion. Paulo Dybala, however, is the future. He has a great talent and a lot of potential.
There’s a beautiful generation emerging, luckily Italy continue to churn out these footballers. I also like [Federico] Bernardeschi – he has talent, but must gain experience and have patience to grow.
So does Baggio miss football, and is there a potential return to the sport in the future?
It’s amazing the love that I continue to receive. I miss the ball the smell of the field. Football remains a great passion for me and I watch it from afar. It’s an advantage to be a bit detached when judging sides. I am continuing work on something for young players and we’ll see in the future.
