Guess who’s birthday is today- Roberto Baggio!

By: Francesco | February 18th, 2009

So when I was a little kid watching calcio back in the ’90’s, my idol was none other than Roberto Baggio. Everything about him amazed me: his technique and skill, his perfect free kicks, the way he just slipped past defenders like they were practice cones, the amazing goals he scored, everything. I enjoyed watching him terrorize defenses every Sunday and no matter what team he played for (even my rival Inter) I always rooted for him. To this day whenever someone asks me who I think was the greatest player of all time, I say “Diego Maradona, with Roberto Baggio a close second.” So when I was young I looked up every possible bit of info there was on “Il Divino Codino” and I learned his birthday was February 18th. To this day, I still haven’t forgotten his birthday and whenever it rolls around I find myself in front of my computer on youtube for long hours of the day watching Baggio videos. So I figured to share my annual routine with the Italy Offside. It’s hard to believe that this is the 5th season without Baggio gracing the pitches of Serie A. Baggio Videos after the jump!

This compilation shows goals against all the goalkeepers he’s scored on in alphabetical order:

10 Best goals:

The famous Maradona-style goal vs. Czechoslovakia in 1990:

Baggio’s last game, he was subbed out in the 88th minute and received a standing ovation from the sold out San Siro (where he played with both Milan and Inter):

Have any more great Baggio videos? Post them in the comments.

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Category: AC Milan, Azzurri, Bologna, Cagliari, Catania, Chievo, Fiorentina, Genoa, Inter, Juventus, Lazio, Napoli, Palermo, Players, Roma, Rumors & News, Sampdoria, Serie A, Udinese

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fasil r

hi is an IDIOT but still he not acoach why.please baggio ilove your soccer so please manage one teame GOD bless u.
MarcoGK

I went to Florence in 1982 and visited the Stadio Artemio Franchi. All over the outside of the stadium was spray-painted protests that the club sold Baggio to, or all teams Juve! Their arch rivals!!! There were protest and riots outside the stadium. One of his greatest goals was against Napoli in which Roby dribbled half the Napoli team, faked the keeper and scored. If you Maradonna's goal for Argentina against England in Mexico 86, it is almost identical, even the fake on Peter Shilton. BTW, Maradonna was on the bench for Napoli when Roby scored his most famous goal. After the goal, Maradonna stood up with a smile and a look of disbelief. To this day, I credit Roby with inspiring Maradonna to score that goal in the fashion he did.
Nina

Good to know that people still remember his b-day!
what a player!
LorenzoRosanero

Legend.

I still rock Baggio gear all the time. Old jerseys, even new ones...not to mention random t-shirts I find with his face on them haha.
KJ

Btw, Im surprised he didnt make that hair a fad....wait
KJ

I was fortunate to see Baggio live at WC 94...One of my greatest childhood memories
John

I'm so annoyed I missed the best years of Baggio's career, yet I still love him despite it! I must have seen every Baggio youtube compilation that exists, I have his wallpaper as my desktop background and I have his name on the back of my white Italy shirt for that retro feel :D He is phenomenal, Happy Birthday Robbie!
Vincent

My absolute FAVORITE soccer player of all time. Watching him at Italia 90, lead Italia to the WC94 Final, come back in WC98, and he SHOULD have been at WC 2002!!

So many memories and emotions, just too hard to describe how much I loved Baggio
Julian

Five years... it feels like it's been decades. Happy birthday to one of the most talented players to ever play soccer. I hope we one day find his rightful heir.