Injury-plagued former Italy international Roberto Baggio says he will retire at the end of the current season.
”My career has been marred by injuries to my knee, which have affected my running and at my age this is difficult to overcome,” the 36-year-old Brescia striker told Teletutto radio station.
”Unless there’s an incredible change of heart I don’t believe I will go back on my decision. Retirement will cost me a great deal, but in life one must know when to say enough is enough.”
Known as ”The Divine Ponytail” because of his hairstyle and religious beliefs, Baggio has had a stop-start season with several knee operations and a back strain limiting his number of appearances.
Baggio began his professional career 1982 at third-division Vicenza and made his Serie A debut with Fiorentina three years later.
After four seasons in Florence, he signed for Juventus in 1990 for a then record €11,3-million.
He then enjoyed spells at AC Milan, Bologna and Inter Milan before signing for Brescia in September 2000 and his goals have helped keep the Lombardy club in the top flight.
Baggio enjoyed Uefa Cup success with Juventus in 1993 and was named Fifa’s World Player of the Year the same year. He won two Serie A league titles, with Juventus in 1995 and with AC Milan the following year.
Baggio played 55 times for Italy and scored 27 goals. But despite a glittering career, he is perhaps best remembered for missing the penalty in the 1994 World Cup final shoot-out, which handed Brazil the trophy in Pasadena.
A devout Buddhist, Baggio is just four goals short of reaching the 200 mark in Serie A. — Sapa-AFP