That Missed Penalty Still Haunts Baggio

“I dreamed as a child that one day I would play in a World Cup final against Brazil. I have no particular memory of why I nurtured that dream. I have never found a reason. Dreams are simply dreams, and they require no explanation.”

These words come from a voice familiar to football aficionados worldwide, yet strikingly poignant to a new generation: Roberto Baggio. The Italian legend, widely regarded as one of the greatest playmakers of his era, opened his heart in a candid interview with Forbes Italia, reflecting on the triumphs and agonies of a glittering career.

Today marks Baggio’s 59th birthday, and the interview serves as a precious window into a career filled with brilliance and bittersweet memories. The former Azzurri star reflects, “I have always seen myself as a very ordinary man, much like anyone else. I have never considered myself special. Only one thing was beyond my control: my unwavering passion for football. That passion was so intense that my entire days—from dawn to dusk—were consumed by thoughts of the game. I even went to sleep thinking about football.”

Baggio represented Italy in three FIFA World Cups, achieving mixed fortunes:

Despite his dazzling career, one moment of regret still burns: the 1994 World Cup final in the United States. Italy lost to Brazil in a penalty shootout, and Baggio’s missed spot-kick became an indelible wound. The Italian icon once admitted, “After missing that penalty, I wanted to die.”

Recounting the experience to Forbes Italia, he added, “I would have done anything to win the 1994 World Cup—exchanging the whole world if necessary. The night before the final, one thought consumed my mind: how could we win the Cup? Perhaps Italy’s dream would be fulfilled through my bicycle kick. Yet, that dream turned into a nightmare. Victory was one step away, and then I missed the penalty. An unbelievable tragedy. I still carry that pain with me.”

Roberto Baggio’s story is more than a tale of skill and glory; it is a testament to human resilience, passion, and vulnerability. Even decades later, that single moment continues to define one of football’s greatest careers, reminding fans that behind every legend lies a deeply human heart.