Baggio says 'arrivederci' after national team farewell
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-04-29 09:46

After all the goals he scored, all the games he won, all the defenders he left lying on the ground helpless, it will be a 1-1 draw when he did none of those things that Roberto Baggio will remember most from his career.
The legendary ponytailed player was given an emotional farewell in what was likely his last appearance for the Italian national team Wednesday, a 1-1 draw in a friendly against Spain.

"Tonight's game will be the most beautiful memory of my career," Baggio said. "Over the course of a professional career there are the goals and the victories, but nothing was as beautiful as the demonstration of affection that these people gave me today."

Fans unfurl a huge Baggio jersey prior to the start of his farewell match. [AP]

Fans - many of them bussed in from Brescia where Baggio is rounding out his club career - honored their favorite player with a stadium full of banners in his honor and cheered each time he touched the ball.

The closest scoring chance for the 37-year-old came just before halftime, when he sent a header just wide.

Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni called Baggio up as a special "farewell" gesture before the country's favorite player retires next month at the end of the Italian league season.

He had not played for the national team in five years and fans throughout Italy were anxious to see how he would perform.

Hampered slightly by a thigh injury suffered in a league match on Sunday, Baggio did not look like his normal self. Still, when he was replaced by 24-year-old Fabrizio Miccoli three minutes from the end, he was treated to an extended standing ovation.

"I saw him leave the field with tears in his eyes," Trapattoni said. "He loves soccer and he's given soccer a lot."

Fans and media are hoping Trapattoni changes his mind and decides to include Baggio on his roster for the upcoming European Championship.

At a news conference Tuesday, with Baggio sitting right next to him, Trapattoni left the door open to such a tantalizing possibility.

"The future is in the hands of god," the coach said then. "You never say never in soccer."

After the match, however, "Trap" reverted back to his usual stance favoring younger players, saying Baggio likely has "no future" on the team.

During the game, fans chanted Baggio's name constantly and banners dedicated to him filled the stands at sold-out Luigi Ferraris stadium.

"The world appreciates you, Europe appreciates you, Italy has never forgotten you. Roby Baggio: welcome back," said one.

"With Baggio on the national team, Europe can be conquered," said another banner, expressing hope that Baggio is selected for the June 12-July 4 tournament in Portugal.

Another lamented Trapattoni's decision to leave Baggio home from the 2002 World Cup, when Italy lost in the second round to co-host South Korea in extra time. "Thanks for the idea Trap, but we wanted him in Korea," it said.

And: "Maradona (plus) Pele (equals) Baggio."

Italy's star midfielder Roberto Baggio waves to supporters prior to the start of the friendly soccer match against Spain at the Marassi stadium in Genoa, Italy, Wednesday,. [AP]

Baggio said that the fan outpouring - "the love of the people" - was the "most beautiful thing" of the evening, his first national team appearance in five years, and 56th overall since his debut in 1999.

Baggio stands fourth on the team's all-time scoring list with 27 goals. He has also scored 11 times in Serie A this season, placing him among the league leaders.

The draw was decided by Atletico de Madrid striker Fernando Torres' first national team goal for Spain in the 53rd and an equalizer by Inter Milan power forward Christian Vieri, Baggio's strike partner at the 1998 World Cup in France, three minutes later.

Baggio's best scoring chance came just before halftime, when he sent a header just wide. Despite the miss, the crowd erupted into a "Ro-berto Baggio" chant, which was revived when the striker left the field three minutes from the end, clapping his hands over his head.

Afterward, Baggio said his mind was made up about retiring at the end of the Serie A season on May 16, adding that he would only play more if he is invited to Euro 2004.

"Otherwise," he said, "thanks anyway and arrivederci."

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