September 21, 1986 is a historic date for Italian football. In the match of the second day of Serie A, Fiorentina-Sampdoria, Roberto Baggio made his debut in the top flight. 86 minutes expected for a long time, too long, considering the potential already shown with the Vicenza shirt. An expected debut one year due to the serious injury that risked putting an end to his extraordinary career well in advance.
87 minutes into the legend because the beginning of a unique adventure by a footballer capable of winning the Ballon d'Or and capable of making millions and millions of fans fall in love. Even today there are many admirers of Roberto Baggio, just think of the choice of Netflix to dedicate a biopic about his life. That day, however, remains engraved in the memory of football fans because Roberto Baggio was already considered by experts to be an extraordinary talent.
The terrible injury and the return to the field
A debut postponed for a year due to a serious injury. In fact, after the signing of the contract with Fiorentina, on May 5, 1985 Baggio broke his right knee involving the anterior cruciate and meniscus. An unimaginable damage for the time that could also put an end to his career. Moreover, this was the period in which the genius of Caldogno was convinced to definitively embrace the Buddhist faith. More than a year later, the then 19-year-old Fiorentina player returned to tread a football field for his first appearance in Serie A.
A debut that came also thanks to Fiorentina's great attachment who, despite having the possibility of withdrawing from the contract, invests in the boy who can finally taste the pitch after a long ordeal. In the end there will be 136 matches with the Fiorentina shirt and 55 goals scored, some of which have entered by right among the best of Roberto Baggio's career.
Roberto Baggio and the link with Fiorentina
That link with the square of Florence he remained alive until the end of his competitive activity. In the summer of 1990 the passage of Roberto Baggio from Fiorentina to Juventus (for a record figure of 25 billion lire) he was greeted by the angry protests of the Viola fans. A city set on fire with parades under the company headquarters and in Coverciano where Italy was preparing the World Cup in Italy 90. Baggio has always admitted his love for Fiorentina and disagrees with the transfer to the point such as to become the protagonist of a gesture that has made history.
In his first match as an ex at the Artemio Franchi stadium in Florence, Baggio decided not to take the penalty against Fiorentina. And then he picked up a purple scarf from the pitch, waving goodbye to the Curva Fiesole. So he chose not to hide his feelings, expressing all his love for the city and the fans.
An extraordinary career, which began on 21 September 1986 and ended on 24 May 2004 in the splendid San Siro. In between, 658 appearances between club and national team, 301 goals, thousands of plays and millions of fans in love with him. Thanks for everything Roberto, today is a special day for all football fans!
Featured photo source: Codice13, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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Bravo!