Azzuri send-off for the 'divine ponytail'

[Jager]

The Italian Football Federation have backed Giovanni Trapattoni’s idea to give Roberto Baggio one last cap.

Trap revealed yesterday that he was ready to call up Baggio for the April friendly against Spain as a reward for his extraordinary career.

And FIGC chief Franco Carraro believes the fans deserve to see the Brescia star wear the Azzurri shirt again before he retires this summer.

"It is Trapattoni’s idea," stated Carraro. "He believes that is the best way to celebrate Baggio’s career."

There have been calls for a special game to be played after Baggio, 37, underlined his legendary status by scoring his 200th goal in Serie A on Sunday.

"Baggio is clearly a positive symbol of sport in Italy," added Carraro. "He also represents the love of this game.

"He is a player that has played for a host of clubs which makes him everybody’s yet nobody’s. No one dislikes Baggio."

[Alessandro10]

:thumbsup: Good idea!!!

His 200th goal was a great moment!!!
%th guy to do it or sumtin!!!

[intermilanfan]

Roberto Baggio should've been in Italys 2002 world cup sqaud, I cant beleive that somehow he was left out.

My favourite Italian player by far, he still has the ability to play one or two more seasons if he really wanted to. He has really helped Brescia to do reasonably well considering the poor squad that they have, he has been the creator or finisher of most of their goals.

Long Live King Baggio !

*My first post on Talk Soccer* :-P

[Alessandro10]

He is grand

[Jager]

MILAN, April 17 (Reuters) - Former European Footballer of the Year Roberto Baggio will make a farewell appearance for Italy in their friendly match against Spain later this month.
Brescia forward Baggio, 37, announced last December that he would retire from the game at the end of this season.


'Baggio will play in the next game,' Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni told the television programme Porta a Porta.

'I have spoken with him. It is a rightful recognition of a charismatic footballer,' added the Italy coach.

Italy will play Spain in Genoa on April 28.

I'm very happy about this, and I will consider watching the game now.

[Rosa]

great way to say goodbye to Roby, will be a shame when he retires.

[NSE]

I remember see-ing roby in the early 90's when football italia was shown on Channel 4 .

What a legend of a game, great to see him in his last international

[acmaniac]

It will be so cool to see him play as i was to small to really watch him at his best.

[Alessandro10]

Grand!!!

Lets hope it is good match to match the players in ti !!!!

[Jager]

Tickets for Roberto Baggio’s final Azzurri appearance against Spain next Wednesday have already sold out.


Coach Giovanni Trapattoni will only name the squad for the friendly match tomorrow, but has already confirmed that Baggio will be given an international swansong.


The 35,000 tickets for the game at Genoa’s Stadio Luigi Ferraris have all been snapped up just a few days after going on sale.


The only 800 seats remaining are in the away end of the Stadium and are also set to fly out of the ticket office.


This will be Italy’s last home test before the Euro 2004 tournament in Portugal, which kicks off on June 12.


But it was chosen to give 37-year-old Baggio one final Azzurri cap after he announced his retirement at the end of this season.


The Divine Ponytail made his international debut in a 1-0 win over Holland on Nov 16 1988.

He notched up 27 goals in 55 caps, winning the Balon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year Award in 1993

[robaldo]

what a legend, hope it all goes well for him.

[Johnson]

roberto baggio is one of my fav players of all time and a true legend, hope he gets a great send off,

[Alessandro10]

1988 his debut!!!!

Seems like just yesterday!!!!

I hope he does!!!