Shirt Stories: Roberto Baggio and Football's Cruellest Walk

The Italy shirt immortalised by penalty heartbreak

The beautiful game can be a cruel mistress, and never more so than in a World Cup final. Sometimes, a matter of inches is all that separates the ecstasy of winning from the eternal pain of losing the biggest game in world football. And no player is more aware of this than the legendary Italian striker Roberto Baggio.

Nicknamed Il Divin Codino or The Divine Ponytail, Baggio arrived at the 1994 World Cup as the best player in the world. He had been awarded the Ballon d’Or six months earlier, after a phenomenal 30-goal season in 92/93 for Juventus, winning the UEFA Cup, before notching another 22 goals for La Vecchia Signora in the 93/94 campaign. 

Italy's ponytailed talisman was in fine form and did the shirt proud throughout the tournament, scoring five crucial goals on the run to the final against Brazil at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl stadium. But football has a funny way of not going to plan.

This Roberto Baggio Italy shirt was displayed as part of The MWS Legend Collection NYC exhibition, a celebration of football history told through some of the game’s most iconic shirts and unforgettable moments.

Baggio’s match-winning performance in the semi-final against Bulgaria had come at a cost.

He pulled his right hamstring in the process of scoring both of Italy's goals and was unable to train properly ahead of the final. He needed a painkilling injection in his leg in order to be able to play the biggest game of his career. And while he was a major doubt in the build-up to the match, he would end up starting up front for Italy in this very shirt.

A noticeably diminished Baggio cut a forlorn figure as he struggled to hit his usual standards that had terrorised defences across Europe for years. His slaloming dribbling, sublime technique, and thunderous right foot shots were all conspicuous in their absence against Brazil. And yet, compromised as he was, Italy knew he only needed one flash of brilliance to change a game, and he nearly did so on a number of occasions.

Brazil, meanwhile, were equally determined to write their own piece of history. Led by the prolific Romário and Bebeto in attack, and marshalled by captain Dunga in midfield, Carlos Alberto Parreira's side had conceded just three goals throughout the tournament. Their back line, anchored by Aldair and Márcio Santos, afforded Baggio precious little room to operate; operating as he was on one good leg.

Italy's defence stood firm against Brazil's attacking threats, while the Seleção did an equally effective job of denying Baggio the pockets of space which he had built his reputation by exploiting. Whenever he received possession, yellow shirts quickly surrounded him. And when the golden chances to score did arrive, Baggio’s severely restricted movement meant he scuffed shots wide that would normally have found the roof of the net. 

And so the game remained at a stalemate. The 90 minutes passed without either team breaking the deadlock. Then came extra-time. And for the first time in World Cup final history, the tournament would be decided in the cruellest way: a penalty shootout.

The Moment – Football's Cruellest Walk

Italy's hopes suffered an immediate setback when captain Franco Baresi blazed the opening penalty over the crossbar. Although Demetrio Albertini and Alberico Evani converted their spot-kicks, Daniele Massaro then saw his effort brilliantly saved by Cláudio Taffarel.

Brazil, by contrast, largely held their nerve. After Márcio Santos saw Brazil’s first effort saved, Romário, Branco and Dunga all found the net, leaving Italy with one final opportunity to extend the shootout. Up stepped Roberto Baggio, the best player in the world at the time, with one chance to save his country from elimination. No pressure!

Baggio began his long run-up, struck through the ball with his right foot, and watched in horror and disbelief as it climbed high over the crossbar before disappearing into the Pasadena crowd. 

Brazil were champions, and teary-eyed Baggio was consoled by his teammates as he wandered despondently off the field. His incredible playing legacy was now forever to be associated by a moment of misfortune. 

The image of Baggio standing motionless, hands on hips and head bowed remains one of the defining photographs in World Cup history. The antithesis of his compatriot Marco Tardelli’s jubilation 12 years prior, it’s a moment replayed whenever football's greatest heartbreaks are discussed, despite the fact that Italy had already missed two penalties before their star man stepped forward.

Baggio’s iconic image of heartbreak serves as a reminder that even the greatest players in the world are only human. His famous Italy shirt will forever be tied to one of football's most unforgettable endings.