Chapter 55 54. The Road to the Future (European Cup and Olympic Games)

The 11th European Football Championship kicked off in Belgium and the Netherlands on June 10, 2000. 22 Italian players went to the field. Among the 22 players, there was no Robert Baggio’s name. It was expected.However, due to Baggio's outstanding performance at the end of the Italian Serie A and the play-offs, and the absence of Italy's main striker Vieri due to injury, people once again had the extravagant hope of allowing Baggio to participate in the national team.And Baggio himself has always said that he must show his best performance to win Zoff's appreciation and re-enter the national team. Some Italian fans and media believe that Baggio's recent performance is obvious to all, although Lippi doesn't like it. Baggio, but Baggio still brought Inter Milan into the Champions League at the most critical moment, and gave Inter Milan a gift worth at least 35 million US dollars.People are calling on Zoff in various ways to call Baggio back to the national team like Maldini did, believing that Baggio can still perform miracles for the national team.

The Italian media generally believe that what the Italian national team lacks is a player with rich imagination and creativity like Baggio, and they all think that Baggio is a symbol of Italian football.Goalkeeper Toldo is very much in favor of allowing Baggio to re-enter the national team. He said: "Baggio is Italy's football ambassador. He is in good condition now. He can create miracles for the Italian team at critical moments." Forward Montella also said: "I think it's a pity that Baggio can't participate in the European Championships. Baggio's talent cannot be doubted." Defender Pancaro also agrees with this point of view. He said: "In the play-offs with Parma, Baggio showed again Therefore, I think Baggio is also very useful to the national team." Of course, there are some players who do not support Baggio's re-entry into the national team, and striker Totti is one of them. He said: "Baggio is an excellent player Player, his performance against Parma fascinated me, not only because he scored two goals, but we already have five excellent strikers in the national team..." Zoff, who was born as a goalkeeper, has a more stable personality Conservative, although more than 65% of the fans support Baggio's inclusion in the national team, he is still unwilling to take the risk of taking Baggio to Belgium and the Netherlands, and Baggio's dream of the European Cup has to be declared shattered.Zoff said: "I cannot recruit Baggio just to satisfy someone's demands."

Baggio missed the European Cup, which disappointed many people who supported him, so people put forward the idea of ​​letting Baggio represent the Italian Olympic team in the Olympic Games.The Italian Olympic team has already qualified for the Olympic finals.Italian midfielder Livio was very supportive of the idea, saying: "It was a beautiful thing to see Baggio perform at the Sydney Olympics, not just in terms of Baggio's personal excellence. Baggio is a symbol of Italian football, and he can achieve a good public effect for Italian football." Lazio captain Nesta believes that Baggio's participation in the Olympics has far-reaching significance: "Baggio is a man who has won praise from all over the world. And respected players, when he appears on the Olympic Games, with his personal charm and appeal, he will definitely attract many fans from all over the world to the stands and increase the influence of the Olympic Games.” Roma striker Delvecchio also thinks Baggio should be selected for the Italian Olympic team, "Baggio is a great champion, but also a humble player, a very popular figure. If he goes to Sydney, I will be very happy to watch him." performance.” There are many Italian expatriates in Australia. Not long ago, they jointly sent a petition to the Italian Football Federation, asking the Italian Football Federation to select Baggio to enter the Italian Olympic team and let him come to Australia, because their favorite Italian The player is Roberto Baggio. They very much hope to see Baggio in Australia to satisfy their desire to see Baggio. Whether Baggio can participate in the Olympics is still a mystery. The Italian Football Association has not yet expressed its position on this issue. .In Baggio's football career, he did not have a record of participating in the Olympics. If he can really go to the Olympics as he wishes, using his experience, ability and influence in world football will be a good thing for the Italian team and even the entire Olympic football tournament.