- Roberto Baggio
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Religion
Baggio, formerly a
Roman Catholic , converted to Nichiren Buddhism and is a member of theSoka Gakkai International Buddhist organization.Records
Baggio played in 16 World Cup matches for Italy. Ireland is the only team against which Baggio played more than once in his 16 games of FIFA World Cup play. He is the highest Italian goalscorer of all-time in the World Cup, with 9 goals from 16 appearances (along with Rossi and Vieri). But Baggio is the only Italian to have scored in three World Cups. Baggio has scored 86 percent of his penalties in Serie A and International football, scoring 106 out of 122 penalties, more than any other player in Italian football history.Fact|date=August 2007
When Baggio was in the national team, Italy always left the World Cup at penalties: in 1990 against Argentina, in 1994 against Brazil, and in 1998 against France. Therefore, In 16 world cup matches he played Italy lost only one, Italy's opening game of USA 94 against Ireland. When Baggio played his 16th and last world cup game against France, Brazil's all time player with most caps in the World Cup did not have 16 games. This was a notable achievement for Baggio especially as Brazil won the world cup three times in the 1960s with the likes of Pele.
Trivia
Roberto Baggio is the 6th of 8 brothers. His younger brother,
Eddy Baggio , is also a footballer. He currently plays withSangiovannese and has spent his whole career in the lower divisions of Italian football, never making an appearance in Serie A.Baggio was the main player for Italian sportswear company
Diadora . Throughout his whole career he wore Diadora football boots and gear.Roberto Baggio is married to Andreina and has 3 children: Mattia, Valentina and Leonardo.
References
*Footballdatabase|7123
External links
* [http://www.robertobaggio.com Official website]
*soccerbase|312|Roberto Baggio
* [http://www.pro-paul.net/baggio/ Roberto Baggio's World]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ckx_u8iaEU Roberto Baggio Best Goals]
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