Italy legend Roberto Baggio injured during Armed Robbery at Home while watching Euro 2024 Match

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Roberto Baggio, the former Juventus and AC Milan star, was injured during an armed robbery at his home in northern Italy. The incident occurred at 10 pm on Thursday when at least five individuals broke into his villa in Altavilla Vicentina, as reported by local media.

Baggio, aged 57, was taken to an emergency room in Arzign. He received stitches to his forehead after being struck with a gun by one of the burglars. In his first public statement since the attack, Baggio expressed gratitude to well-wishers and mentioned, "Now all that remains is to overcome the fear."

Details of the Incident

The violent event happened while Baggio and his family were watching Italy play Spain in the European Championships. The incident reportedly lasted around 40 minutes. Baggio attempted to stop the burglars but was hit on the forehead with a gun. Following this, he and his family were locked in a room while the thieves ransacked their home for valuables.

After feeling it was safe, Baggio managed to break down the door and called the police. His family, though shaken by the ordeal, was not injured. The amount stolen remains unclear. Italian media reported that police are reviewing CCTV footage of the incident.

Reactions and Support

Luca Zaia, president of the Veneto region, expressed hope for Baggio's recovery from "this bad evening." He described Baggio as a "symbolic champion of our football and our region." Zaia condemned the incident unequivocally and hoped for swift justice for culprits.

Baggio added that "fortunately the violence I suffered only caused a few stitches on my person, bruises and a lot of fear." His family is said to be deeply affected by the event but physically unharmed.

Known as "Divin Codino" (the divine ponytail) during his career, Roberto Baggio led Italy to a World Cup final in 1994 in USA. However, he missed a crucial penalty in the shootout, giving Brazil their fourth World Cup victory. Despite this, he played for both AC Milan and Inter Milan before retiring in 2004. The former forward also played 56 times for Italy and scored 27 goals for his country.

The incident has brought attention to security concerns for high-profile individuals. It also highlights Baggio's enduring influence and the widespread support he continues to receive from fans and fellow Italians alike.