How good was Roberto Baggio?

[_00_deathscar]

There's a biopic on Netflix on Roberto Baggio - very bizarre, it's actually quite well acted, well shot too for the most part, but awfully directed - although does have some great moments.

I missed much of his peak but saw him in his later stages - of course everyone knew him for the miss, although have seen compilations, goals etc. I knew he had injury problems, but didn't realise it was basically Ronaldo-like. Unfortunately he never truly got his redemption the way Ronaldo did even though maybe he should have gone to the 2002 World Cup after his exploits towards the end there.

So - how good was he?

[Cam]

Baggio versus Del Piero is a heck of a debate. 

[Candystore]

3 minutes ago, Cam said:

Baggio versus Del Piero is a heck of a debate. 

Baggio was the better player IMO.

Injuries f***ed him more than anything, being allergic to painkillers and all those operations must be have so tough on him as well.

[Cam]

8 minutes ago, Candystore said:

Baggio was the better player IMO.

Injuries f***ed him more than anything, being allergic to painkillers and all those operations must be have so tough on him as well.

Wouldn't disagree really. But Del Piero certainly achieved a lot more though. 

[Candystore]

7 minutes ago, Cam said:

Wouldn't disagree really. But Del Piero certainly achieved a lot more though. 

Yeah true.
 

Baggio is like Ronaldo, will go down as one of the best ever to have played the game but hampered by injuries, neither won a whole lot, especially at club level.

[kop205]

I reckon they were both a bit overrated.

Robbie Fowler would have been better than either of them.

[Hassony]

10 minutes ago, kop205 said:

I reckon they were both a bit overrated.

 

Agreed, As were a lot of other players from Spain, Italy and Europe in general during that period 

Feels like both also tended to disappoint in major tournaments, with the exception of the odd good game here and there, Baggio was better though

 

[Benzo-13]

Loved Del Piero but how both he Baggio and him played at the top level after their major injuries was something to admire. 
 

Del Piero v Totti was always the big debate in the dressing room when I was playing regular football in the 90’s/00’s. 

Baggio was more of a maverick than both, weirdo too. Said he was Buddhist but then went game shooting.

[Candystore]

11 minutes ago, Hassony said:

Agreed, As were a lot of other players from Spain, Italy and Europe in general during that period 

Feels like both also tended to disappoint in major tournaments, with the exception of the odd good game here and there, Baggio was better though

 

Baggio is joint top scorer for World Cup goals for Italy.

Only Italian to score in 3 World Cups

Maybe my view is clouded by watching him on Football Italia growing up....

[stressederic]

Baggio carried that Italy side in the 94 World Cup. Don't recall Del Piero ever doing something similar. Brilliant footballer on his day but that Euro 2000 final sticks in the memory with him a bit.

[Candystore]

11 minutes ago, stressederic said:

Baggio carried that Italy side in the 94 World Cup. Don't recall Del Piero ever doing something similar. Brilliant footballer on his day but that Euro 2000 final sticks in the memory with him a bit.

Carried them while injured in 94

[stressederic]

6 minutes ago, Candystore said:

Carried them while injured in 94

Yep. Could barely walk by the end of that final.

[Walrus]

6/10

[PaulMcC186]

Romario was better. The debate around 94 world cup was him or Baggio.

Edited June 1, 2021 by PaulMcC186

[Benzo-13]

35 minutes ago, PaulMcC186 said:

Romario was better. The debate around 94 world cup was him or Baggio.

There was a lot of proper players still knocking about.

Diego (but on speed), Hagi, Stoichkov and Klas Ingesson .

[PhilM]

Reckon Totti was better than Del Piero. Baggio was amazing.

This is making me all nostalgic for Football Italia from the 90's.

[Stanley Leisure]

Both Baggio and Del Piero had sh*t hair, which must be taken into consideration. 

[D.Boon]

To be honest the only thing I can remember about Baggio was his dreadful Barnet.

[Ant]

His online freekick game was the zenith of football simulations 

[Swipe]

Always thought Baggio was a bit overrated. Although it might have been I was just a bit too young to appreciate him. I thought Del Piero was overrated too. And Totti.

Bloody Italians.

[_00_deathscar]

7 minutes ago, Swipe said:

Always thought Baggio was a bit overrated. Although it might have been I was just a bit too young to appreciate him. I thought Del Piero was overrated too. And Totti.

Bloody Italians.

Seems a bit like he didn’t really win all that much - just like Ronaldo - relative to their talents. Ronaldo obviously can at least point to the World Cup.
Injuries and bad club choices a huge part of that though - and I reckon in Baggio’s case wrong time wrong country (Italian managers managing a player like that?)

I reckon Totti was overrated. The others nah...

44 minutes ago, Ant said:

His online freekick game was the zenith of football simulations 

That’s how you know you’ve made it in life. How many others have their own game?

And it was a great game too!

[Swipe]

Ronaldo was a force of nature, and was still brilliant even when injuries took away some of that power. I saw brilliance from Ronaldo regardless of what he won. Just never really saw what others did when I saw Baggio. 

Maybe he didn't do much in the Champions League. Can't remember. Just never really got it. Again, might have just been my age. Maybe he did loads of brilliant stuff before I saw anything of him. 

Edit: Just checked and I was 15 by the time he left Juventus. Probably just too young.

Edited June 1, 2021 by Swipe

[Tommok]

I always really rated Baggio - would have loved him to sign for us 

[Dan]

I properly loved Baggio. Helluva player. Italy's talisman in both '90 and '94.

[kop205]

44 minutes ago, Dan said:

I properly loved Baggio. Helluva player. Italy's talisman in both '90 and '94.

Didn't do much in 90 did he until a good goal in the quarters maybe?

Was all about Toto Scillachi and his mad eyes.

And yes, Totti was also overrated.

Edited June 1, 2021 by kop205