Roberto Baggio, one of Italy’s football legends, was attacked by robbers who broke into his house last night while he was watching the EURO 2024 match between Spain and Italy.
Five robbers broke into the 57-year-old former actor’s villa near the northern city of Vicenza at around 22 local time last night.
According to local media reports, Baggio, who tried to intervene in the armed gang, was injured as a result of being hit on the head with a gun handle.
The robbers locked Baggio and his family in a room and escaped from the house, stealing jewelry, watches and cash.
The total value of the valuables stolen in the robbery has not yet been disclosed.
After the robbery, which lasted approximately 40 minutes, Baggio broke the locked door and called the police.
It is stated that the former football player, who was hospitalized, received a few stitches on his head, and his family is in good condition.
Roberto Baggio lives with his wife and three children in his villa in a rural and isolated area in the town of Altavilla Vicentina.
Making a statement to the ANSA news agency after the incident, Baggio said, “Fortunately, the violence we experienced only caused a few stitches and bruises, but it also caused a lot of fear. “Now it will be necessary to overcome fear,” he said.
Support messages
Baggio received messages of support from the world of sports and politics.
Luca Zaia, the president of the Veneto region where the incident took place, promised that the “bandits who attacked the former player, whom he called “the symbolic champion of our football and our region”, and his family will be brought to justice.
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini also described what happened as “shameful” and said, “I have full confidence in the police, I hope these criminals are identified as soon as possible and punished in an intolerant manner.”
Roberto Baggio, who was nicknamed the “divin codino” when he played for the Italian National Team, played in first league teams, including AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus and Fiorentina, before bidding farewell to the fields in 2004.
Baggio is the only Italian to score in three World Cups.
In 1993, he was selected as the football player of the year and was awarded the Ballon d’Or award.
He took Italy to the final of the World Cup held in the USA in 1994, but missed a critical penalty and won the cup to Brazil.
Baggio said in an interview in 2015 that, even years later, this moment “still haunts him.”
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2024-06-23 02:41:58