Fiorentina

Baggio's Emotional Return To The Past

In an interview with Sky Italia, Baggio spoke of the emotion that sparked a wonderful evening of football, honouring a man that he played with for a number of years at Fiorentina.

Oct 9, 2008 3:03:57 AM

Roberto Baggio & Stefano Borgonovo - Fiorentina-Milan (Grazia Neri)

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Roberto Baggio & Stefano Borgonovo - Fiorentina-Milan (Grazia Neri)

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Roberto Baggio, an icon of Italian football, was one of three Golden Ball winners named in the squad for the Borgonovo tribute match, and most were hoping that he would take to the field, as it was set to be his first return to football, since hanging up the boots in 2004.

Although he did not play, he took and scored a penalty, and had this to say after the match: “Florence has responded in an incredible way. For me, the return to the Fiesole was quite emotional, and it was definitely a return to the past.”

He went on to add that “the city has a big heart, and I’d like to thank them for their affection shown towards me.”

This sort of affection is more than understandable however, as Baggio managed to score 55 times between 1985-1990 for the Florentine club.

It was undoubtedly an emotional return for Baggio, however it was certainly a night that he was never going to miss, and as he said “everything I did tonight and in the lead up, everything was for Stefano.” What a man.

Baggio and Borgonovo played alongside each other in the late 1980s, when they formed a formidable attacking due for La Viola. Baggio’s kind words for his former team mate and in regards to the emotion he experienced last night is credit to the character of this great man.

Adrian Del Monte