Roberto Baggio speaks out after being rushed to hospital following terrifying armed robbery
Italy legend Roberto Baggio was injured after being smashed in the head with a gun during an armed robbery at his countryside villa during Italy vs Spain
Roberto Baggio says he will need to “overcome the fear” after being violently assaulted in his own home during a burglary.
Baggio was watching Italy’s Euro 2024 match against Spain on Thursday evening when a group of six criminals broke into his house in Altavilla Vicentina. The former Italy forward, 57, was hit in the forehead with a pistol after trying to confront one of the assailants.
During a 40-minute ordeal, Baggio and his family were then locked in a small room while the burglary took place. They stole watches, jewellery and money before fleeing into the countryside before the police arrived.
Baggio was taken to hospital and required stitches to the wound on his head, and while nobody else was physically injured, he says there are psychological scars. “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 via 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 have three children: Valentina, Mattia and Leonardo. Baggio and his wife live in a large farmhouse-style villa in Altavilla Vicentina, close to Vicenza in north-east Italy.
The ex-forward, known as "The Divine Ponytail", is a legend in Italy, having won the Ballon d’Or during a storied career which took in spells at Fiorentina, Juventus, Milan, Inter, Bologna and Brescia. He scored 27 goals in 56 matches for his country and is Italy’s top scorer in World Cups, having netted in all three tournaments he played in.
His status 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 in an effort to try and inspire them to glory.
Italy are defending their title in Germany, having beaten England on penalties in the final of Euro 2020 at Wembley. Spalletti’s side kicked off with a 2-1 win over Albania before they were beaten 1-0 by Spain on Thursday night.
Riccardo Calafiori’s own goal was the difference between the two sides on the scoresheet, although they were fortunate not to have lost by a greater margin, given Spain’s dominance. Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams terrorised the Italian full-backs and Spain could easily have won by more goals. Italy are second in Group B ahead of their final match against Croatia in Leipzig on Monday.
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