Italy’s football icon Roberto Baggio hospitalized after being attacked by thugs during Euro 2024 match

Italian football icon Roberto Baggio has reportedly been hospitalized after he was attacked in a break-in at his apartment while watching Italy’s match against Spain at the 2024 European Championships.

Corriere del Veneto reports that a group of five armed attackers broke into Baggio’s apartment at around 10pm on Thursday. The former Juventus star tried to confront one of the intruders but was hit in the head with a gun after a brief argument.

Baggio suffered a head injury and was subsequently locked in a room with his family while the criminals searched their house and stole watches, jewelry and cash.

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When he was sure the robbers had fled, Baggio managed to break down the door of the room where his family was locked up and called the authorities. When they arrived, Baggio was taken to a hospital where his wound was stitched up. His family was said to be shaken but unharmed.

Baggio spent his entire professional career in Italy, playing for the country’s three most successful clubs: Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan. He signed for Juventus in 1990 and won the Serie A title and the Coppa Italia double in his final season with the team.

After a five-year stint in Turin, Baggio moved to AC Milan, where he promptly won another Scudetto. During his time at Juventus, he was awarded the Ballon d’Or after leading the team to victory in the UEFA Cup, scoring two goals in the first leg of the final against Borussia Dortmund.

Despite his success at club level, Baggio’s international career did not quite reach the same heights. However, he made history as the first Italian to score at three different World Cups.

At the 1994 World Cup, he led Italy to the final against Brazil. The match remained goalless even after extra time, so it went to a nerve-racking penalty shootout. With the score at 3-2 after nine penalties, Baggio’s shot flew over the bar and gave Brazil the win.

After retiring in 2010, Baggio took on the role of president of the technical sector of the Italian Football Federation. However, he resigned three years later because the federation had ignored his suggestions for promoting young talent.

Meanwhile, in Germany, Italy suffered a narrow defeat to Spain, although the margin could have been even bigger. Spain dominated the match in Gelsenkirchen, but only needed an own goal from Riccardo Calafiori to win.

This victory secures Spain’s place in the round of 16. Italy, on the other hand, must avoid defeat against Croatia to secure its place in the knockout round.

Italy struggled to land a blow against Spain and had goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to thank for his remarkable saves.