Baggio explains how to fix Italy national team: ‘Fewer foreigners, more youngsters’

The legendary Roberto Baggio has weighed in on the issues surrounding the Italy national team and believes there is only one way to ‘fix’ Gennaro Gattuso’s side: ‘Fewer foreigners and more chances for youngsters’. 

The Azzurri legend was a guest speaker at the World Sports Summit in Dubai and spoke alongside his daughter in an interview with his former teammate Alessandro Del Piero. 

It has been a difficult year for the Baggio family, who were victims of an armed robbery at their home in 2024. “It changed my vision on life,” Baggio told Del Piero (via La Gazzetta dello Sport).

Fortunately, none of the Baggios were harmed during the robbery, and il Divin Codino is beginning to get back to ‘normal’ life: “This experience brings us even closer together, and brings even more energy to this relationship. Being parents is the toughest job, you will always make mistakes, but your love for your family will always shine through.” 

Baggio was asked if he understands why so many supporters of Italian football still idolise him after all these years. 

“It’s difficult to find the right words,” he explained. “I just tried to play with a love and an infinite passion for sport and for football. I tried to be the best possible person. It’s not easy, but maybe that’s why I touched the hearts of so many people. 

“We all have good and bad moments, but it’s what we do in the difficult moments that matters. That shows us who we are in life.” 

Del Piero also asked Baggio about his Buddhist faith: “I’ve been practising it for 38 years and I’m eternally grateful to those who brought me close to it,” Baggio said. 

“It’s changed me for the better, it changed my life in a profound way. If we are positive we can also make those around us feel positive and change the environment that surrounds us. That is the essence of Buddhism. If we are not happy, none of this is possible. I didn’t impose it on my children, Valentina (his daughter), for example, is not one.” 

Lastly, Baggio gave his verdict on the current state of affairs regarding the Italy national team. 

“There’s no room for our players, and the national team is suffering,” he said. “In ‘my’ World Cup, there was a clear backbone of a team, and you built the rest around it. Fewer foreigners and more chances for youngsters, they’re the future. That’s my opinion.”

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