A gift for Lionel Messi
In the week before Lionel Messi's 38th birthday, a special gift was sent to him. Not from a luxury brand, not from agents or partners. The gift came early, came gently but made Messi shine like a 10-year-old boy. The person who brought the gift was Roberto Baggio.
People still say that big meetings in real life are not noisy. Just like Baggio drove for more than an hour from Miami Beach to Fort Lauderdale in the midst of a crowded line to meet Messi. But that moment could melt the world of football.
Baggio has the Italian national team jersey in hand that he wore at the 1994 World Cup. Messi, when he saw it, could not hide his emotions. He took the shirt as a treasure, then folded it carefully. Currently, the world admires Messi, but Messi himself was moved like a child when meeting Baggio. Messi has given Baggio the feeling he has given to his fans. So when they met, it was not simply a reunion between two legends - but two mirrors that reflect, one person's smile was seen in the eyes of the other.
Messi called him a legend, a football player, thanking him for the gift, for the meaningful and sweet conversation. A rare but sincere caption from Messi on Instagram - and perhaps, few contemporary stars make him write like that, besides Baggio.
Just one of billions of people
Baggio has never considered himself a legend. You have never lived as a star. Although he was once the most expensive player in the world when he moved from Fiorentina to Juventus in 1990. Although his solo goal against Tiep Khac in the World Cup that year was always in the top of the most beautiful goals in history. Although his sacred ponytail was once a symbol of enchantment for a generation.
Thank you, but I dont see myself like that, Baggio said. Not fake modesty, nor drama. For him, football has one reason. I have never felt special. I always feel like I am just one of the billions of people on earth. I was just lucky enough to play football and do what I loved. But I don't think I'm different," he said.
The way he evaluates himself is as simple as his own personality. When Valentina's daughter said that Messi's post was "causing a storm on the internet", Baggio just laughed, but still did not understand why people loved him so much. The love that fans have for him in real life, not just heart symbols on the internet, surprised him.
American writer - John Updike once said: "Fame is a mask that eats the wearer". Baggio had never worn a mask. Glory has never attracted him. It cannot change who you are.
He lived in the countryside where he grew up, near Vicenza. At the age of 58, he still drives a tractor, cuts grass, prides trees, and carves duck models to serve as food when hunting. He is proud to be a nature-loving boy every year, despite his strides to the pinnacle of the football world. In contrast to the supercars in Miami, he still uses the old Fiat Panda in his hometown. "Physical activity while taking care of the land, gardening... helps me forget everything. It's like exercise, Baggio asserted.
Up from sad memories
Baggio was once between heaven and hell in the United States. 31 years ago, Baggio took Italy to the final with decisive goals: Deducting and ending the session with Nigeria, defeating Spain in the 88th minute, and qualifying for Bulgaria in the semi-finals in double. Coach Arrigo Sacchi's team did not play in the famous AC Milan style as fans expected. But Baggio did not disappoint anyone.
Then came the final against Brazil in the terrible heat in the US - something the players are experiencing at the Club World Cup. A series of severe circulations. Franco Baresi missed a shot. Daniele Massaro missed a shot. And even if Baggio scores, the result will probably be the same, because if Brazil's next shot is successful, they will still win the championship.
However, Baggio missed more than a game that day. The Ballon d'Or fell to Hristo Stoichkov. FIFA's player of the year went to Romario. The gold trophy was lifted by Dunga - a former Fiorentina teammate.
"If I had a knife at that time, I would have stabbed myself. With a gun, I fired. I just want to die, Baggio recalled. Many people refer to it as an unhealing scar. But he himself stood up and played football for another 10 years. No one hates Baggio. No one blames Baggio. Because people like Baggio, play football not for themselves, but for others.
He made people forget the memories at Pasadena that year when he and Bologna created the best season in decades. When he and Inter won a ticket to the Champions League after a crazy match with Parma. When he created a short symphony with Andrea Pirlo and Pep Guardiola in Brescia.
Those are the most beautiful days in the lives of many fans. And when Baggio retired in 2004, Italian football seemed to have lost some soul. As singer Cesare Cremonini said: "It's not Sunday anymore".
2 years later, Italy won the World Cup. But that joy goes hand in hand with the Calciopoli scandal. And although the national team and Serie A have recently recovered somewhat, Italian football is still lacking "Baggio". Talent cannot produce in large quantities. Italian football was "enjoyable" in the 1990s and 2000s - along with Francesco Totti, Alexandro Del Piero - with 3 geniuses "one in each generation" appearing at the same time. Their absence on the pitch is now clearly felt.
Losing and returning
Baggio does not like fame, but his love for football is endless. He worked for the Italian Football Federation, writing a 900-page report on youth training. But no one really reads it. And he left. I want to train people, not just players. Not everyone becomes a star, but everyone is one person, he said.
After that, he disappeared from football for a long time. Until recently, Baggio has returned. As Serie A ambassador. As a cup carrier in the Coppa Italia final that Bologna won after 51 years. As an inspiration.
Baggio is not only patriotic about Italy. He loves Argentina. There is a farm in La Pampa, where he often goes to escape the world. It preserves evenings with their father and friends, in front of the fire, with grilled meat and laughter.
He loves Boca juniors. Collecting the entire co dong disc of the Doce Association. He opens them every morning when he gives
children go to school, let them squeeze through the school gate like they squeeze into the stadium. Its healing music, he said.
Up to now, he still follows football on YouTube. Still watching tournaments in Italy, England, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay... partly because he cares about how his friends - like Martin Palermo - are living. He lives by emotions, and still keeps them to himself.
At the upcoming Club World Cup, Baggio not only met Messi but many other legends. Ronaldo "swallows" him as if he is holding back the past. Current players, not only Messi but also Paul Pogba and Paulo Dybala, all want to take a photo with him. One of the most valuable shirts in Dybala's collection is the Baggio in Brescia.
Many people wonder why he did not participate more deeply in football. Will he be tempted to return? I have to say it is true that at one point, I felt the need to enjoy life with my family, be close to them, enjoy simple things and do things that I have not done for nearly 40 years. So I chose: freedom. And freedom is... priceless.
And as Messi's smile showed, meeting Baggio was also a priceless gift.
