1. Roberto Baggio.
For a period of time during the ’90s, Roberto Baggio was quite simply the best player on the planet. The fantasista and Italian legend was a breathtaking sight to behold during this period.
In a time when tactics and athleticism were beginning to truly take precedence over natural ability and technique, Baggio was a throwback to the days when artistry and pure creative talent took priority.
The beginning of the ’90s was a hectic time for Baggio as he was thrust into the world’s limelight. Firstly, he became the most expensive player on the planet as Fiorentina sold him to Juventus for a then record £7.7million – against the will of their fans – which sparked a riot lasting 3 days in Florence. Secondly, he starred for Italy in the 1990 World Cup finals, scoring ‘goal of the tournament’ (a sublime dribble and finish from the half-way line) as Italy finished 3rd overall, on home soil.
It took Baggio a while to adapt to his new surroundings in Turin, but once he did there was no stopping him, becoming the captain at Juve, and leading by example, providing the creativity and spectacle during their matches. Most opposition teams had to adapt to face him, sending out man-markers (sometimes two!) in an attempt to halt his creativity and his goal-scoring prowess.
Indeed, goalscoring is something which came naturally to Baggio. So cool was he in front of goal, the media used to state he had ‘ice in his veins’. Il divin codino was virtually prolific in one-on-one situations, though it was often the quality and variety of goals he scored which astounded: chips, volleys, dribbles, curlers – he could do it all…and often did! His technique and close dribbling skills were also part and parcel of his game, as were his free-kicks and penalties. What is so remarkable is that he created more goals than he scored – a mark of true fantasista genius.
Whilst at Juve he was crowned World Player of the Year and was the Ballon d’Or winner in 1993. Baggio then almost single-handedly dragged Italy to the 1994 World Cup final, scoring 5 goals (all decisive) before succumbing to a hamstring injury in the semi-final. Baggio stated he would’ve played on one leg if necessary, rather than miss football’s greatest match and it is unfortunate that some choose to best remember him for his penalty miss in that final, where they lost in a shoot-out to Brazil.
He enjoyed less success with moves to AC Milan (although he won his second Scudetto there) and Inter, as he found it difficult to overcome the coach’s preferences for a more regimented and robotic style of play, but in between, he enjoyed a fantastic year at little Bologna in 1997 where he had his most prolific goalscoring season.
1998 saw Baggio attain personal redemption at international level, rescuing Italy from defeat by scoring a late penalty against Chile during France’98, as well as scoring against the hosts (and eventual winners) in the quarter-final shoot-out. Scandalously during this World Cup, he was mostly overlooked for an out-of-form Del Piero who started the majority of matches, much to the dismay of the Italian public.
Roberto scored in all three World Cup tournaments during the ’90s (notching 9 times in total) and was perhaps the one Italian fantasista who reproduced his club form at international level, leading him to become loved all around the globe.
’90s clubs: Juventus, AC Milan, Bologna, Inter Milan
‘90s apps/goals: 263/121
‘90s honours: World Player of the Year, European Player of the Year, Serie A title x 2, UEFA Cup, Coppa Italia, FIFA World Cup bronze medal, FIFA World Cup silver medal.
