Editing Roberto Baggio (section)

=== 1994 FIFA World Cup ===
Under Italy's new manager, Arrigo Sacchi, Baggio was his team's top scorer during their [[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA – Group 1)|qualifying campaign for the 1994 World Cup]], scoring five goals of the team's 14 goals in the eight games in also providing seven assists. He helped Italy top their group and qualify for the 1994 World Cup, notably contributing to [[Dino Baggio]]'s winner in the decisive final group match against [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]], which secured Italy's place in the final competition.<ref name="A PASSION BEYOND THE GAME">{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-06-15-9406150155-story.html |title=A Passion Beyond the Game |work=The Chicago Tribune |last1=Hersh |first1=Phil |date=15 June 1994 |access-date=19 April 2020 |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728113952/https://www.chicagotribune.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1993/febbraio/25/Juve_Sacchi_spazza_Portogallo_co_0_93022512671.shtml|title=la Juve di Sacchi spazza il Portogallo|trans-title=Sacchi's Juve sweeps Portugal away|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|language=it|author=Gianfranco Teotino|date=25 February 1993|access-date=12 February 2015|archive-date=9 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109165949/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1993/febbraio/25/Juve_Sacchi_spazza_Portogallo_co_0_93022512671.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1993/novembre/18/Baggio_timbra_visto_per_America_co_0_9311185994.shtml|title=Baggio 2 timbra il visto per l' America|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|language=it|author1=Giancarlo Padovan|author2=Gianfranco Teotino|date=18 November 1993|access-date=27 April 2015|archive-date=13 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313001144/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1993/novembre/18/Baggio_timbra_visto_per_America_co_0_9311185994.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> One of his best performances during the qualifying campaign occurred on 14 October 1992 against [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]]; Italy were trailing 2–0 at home and Baggio led his team to a 2–2 draw comeback, scoring a goal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1992/ottobre/15/cuore_grande_Italia_no_co_0_9210151028.shtml|title=il cuore e' grande, ma l'Italia no|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|language=it|date=15 October 1992|access-date=3 September 2014|archive-date=5 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105140252/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1992/ottobre/15/cuore_grande_Italia_no_co_0_9210151028.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Under Sacchi, Baggio made his first and only starting appearance as [[List of Italy national football team captains|Italy's captain]] in the [[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification|1994 World Cup qualifying]] match in [[Glasgow]] against [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] on 18 November 1992.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=1047|title=Roberto Baggio|publisher=eu-football.info|access-date=16 November 2016|archive-date=5 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405072301/http://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=1047|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.figc.it/nazionali/Capitani?squadra=1&mode=|title=Capitani|trans-title=Captains|website=figc.it|publisher=[[Italian Football Federation]]|language=it|access-date=2 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503080300/http://www.figc.it/nazionali/Capitani?squadra=1&mode=|archive-date=3 May 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, he was substituted off in the final minutes of the 0–0 draw after injuring his rib.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1992/novembre/20/Baggio_rotto_fuori_mese_co_0_92112013949.shtml|title=Baggio rotto, fuori un mese|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|language=it|date=20 November 1992|access-date=2 May 2014|archive-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222144847/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1992/novembre/20/Baggio_rotto_fuori_mese_co_0_92112013949.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1995/luglio/04/Qui_Milan_Baggio_proprio_nostro_co_0_9507042399.shtml|title=Qui Milan: " Baggio e' proprio nostro "|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|language=it|date=4 July 1995|access-date=2 May 2014|archive-date=12 March 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140312173751/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1995/luglio/04/Qui_Milan_Baggio_proprio_nostro_co_0_9507042399.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite a series of injuries prior to the tournament,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1993/ottobre/11/sta_male_anche_Baggio_Roberto_co_0_9310113855.shtml|title=Sta male anche Baggio Roberto giocherà ma ha una tendinite. Allarme per Eranio|work=Il Corriere della Sera|author=Fabio Monti|language=it|date=11 October 1993|access-date=11 March 2014|archive-date=7 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407073431/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1993/ottobre/11/sta_male_anche_Baggio_Roberto_co_0_9310113855.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Baggio was expected to be one of the stars of the 1994 World Cup, entering the competition as the reigning Ballon d'Or winner and FIFA World Player of the Year, and at the peak of his career; after a lacklustre start, he led his team to the final with three match winning performances in the knockout rounds, wearing the number 10 shirt, and scoring five goals in the process.<ref name="FIFA 94" /><ref name="Leggende Azzurre: Roberto Baggio">Leggende Azzurre: Roberto Baggio</ref><ref name="Il Fantasista, l'Incompreso">{{cite web|url=http://www.assoallenatori.it/aiacweb.nsf/WebviewAllenatorebyNumero/fd813c4c32c13907c1256f20004b5032|title=Il Fantasista, l'Incompreso|website=assoallenatori.it|language=it|author=Pietro Cesaro|access-date=16 May 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621060717/http://www.assoallenatori.it/aiacweb.nsf/WebviewAllenatorebyNumero/fd813c4c32c13907c1256f20004b5032|archive-date=21 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1994/giugno/30/dilemma_Baggio_dito_Effenberg_co_0_94063014070.shtml|title=Il dilemma Baggio e il dito di Effenberg|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|author=Gianfranco Teotino|language=it|date=30 June 1994|access-date=2 March 2014|archive-date=7 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407073658/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1994/giugno/30/dilemma_Baggio_dito_Effenberg_co_0_94063014070.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> In a disappointing first match against Republic of Ireland at [[Giants Stadium]], [[New Jersey]], Italy were defeated 1–0.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1994/giugno/18/Baggio_parte_con_piede_sinistro_co_0_94061815863.shtml|title=Baggio parte con il piede sinistro|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|language=it|date=18 June 1994|access-date=7 January 2015|archive-date=18 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118163702/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1994/giugno/18/Baggio_parte_con_piede_sinistro_co_0_94061815863.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1994/giugno/22/Sacchi_ordina_Baggio_alzati_corri_co_0_94062213738.shtml|title=Sacchi ordina: Baggio, alzati e corri|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|author=Giancarlo Padovan|language=it|date=22 June 1994|access-date=7 January 2015|archive-date=18 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118162724/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1994/giugno/22/Sacchi_ordina_Baggio_alzati_corri_co_0_94062213738.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> In the second match against [[Norway national football team|Norway]], he appeared more inspired; however, Italy goalkeeper [[Gianluca Pagliuca]] was sent off for handling the ball outside the area. [[Luca Marchegiani]] was brought in to replace him, and Arrigo Sacchi decided to sacrifice Baggio in what produced an outcry amidst the fans. Baggio later stated that Sacchi was "crazy".<ref name="Biografia: Roberto Baggio"/> Italy won the match 1–0.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.storiedicalcio.altervista.org/mondiali_1994_norvegia.html|title=Italia-Norvegia, Coppa del Mondo USA 1994 - 1-0|publisher=Storie di Calcio|language=it|access-date=13 June 2012|archive-date=21 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621051027/http://www.storiedicalcio.altervista.org/mondiali_1994_norvegia.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Italy continued to disappoint, as their final group match ended in a 1–1 draw against [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]], and he again failed to influence the result.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1994/giugno/30/basta_processi_Baggio_Sacchi_compagni_co_8_940630454.shtml|title=" basta processi a Baggio". Sacchi e i compagni lo difendono|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|language=it|date=30 June 1994|access-date=7 January 2015|archive-date=18 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118165433/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1994/giugno/30/basta_processi_Baggio_Sacchi_compagni_co_8_940630454.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> The Italians finished third in their group, drawing much criticism from the press, and only advancing from the first round as the fourth-best third-placed team; Juventus president [[Gianni Agnelli]] famously called Baggio ''un coniglio bagnato'' ("a wet rabbit"), referring to his despondent demeanour, hoping the jab would spur him on to score.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1994/07/01/baggio-coniglio-bagnato.html|title=Baggio Coniglio Bagnato|newspaper=La Repubblica|language=it|date=1 July 1994|access-date=14 September 2014|archive-date=28 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128115527/http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1994/07/01/baggio-coniglio-bagnato.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

After under-performing during the group stage, Baggio refound his form in the knockout stages, where he scored five memorable goals. He scored two in the [[1994 FIFA World Cup#Round of 16|round of 16]], helping a ten-man Italy defeat [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]] 2–1 at [[Foxboro Stadium]] in [[Boston]], after trailing for most of the match. He scored his first goal of the match with two minutes left on the clock, after receiving ball at the edge of the area from [[Roberto Mussi]]. He then went on to score the winning goal from a penalty in extra time after setting up [[Antonio Benarrivo]] with a lobbed pass, who was then fouled in the penalty area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.storiedicalcio.altervista.org/mondiali_1994_nigeria.html|title=Nigeria-Italia, Coppa del Mondo USA 1994 - 1-2|publisher=Storie di Calcio|language=it|access-date=13 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602073720/http://www.storiedicalcio.altervista.org/mondiali_1994_nigeria.html|archive-date=2 June 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1994/luglio/06/all_ultimo_respiro_Baggio_trovo_co_0_9407062653.shtml|title=all' ultimo respiro Baggio trovo' se stesso|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|language=it|date=6 July 1994|access-date=7 January 2015|archive-date=7 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707003722/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1994/luglio/06/all_ultimo_respiro_Baggio_trovo_co_0_9407062653.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

Baggio scored another match-winning goal in the quarter-finals to defeat [[Spain men's national football team|Spain]] 2–1 with three minutes remaining. After receiving the ball from [[Giuseppe Signori]], he dribbled past the Spanish goalkeeper [[Andoni Zubizarreta]], scoring off-balance from a tight angle. He was also involved in the build-up which led to Italy's first goal by his unrelated namesake Dino Baggio.<ref name="The Score">{{cite web|url=http://www.the42.ie/roberto-baggio-1994-world-cup-tragedy-1478916-Jun2014/|title=The greatest World Cup tragedies: Roberto Baggio, USA 1994|work=The Score|date=6 June 2014|access-date=6 June 2014|archive-date=1 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801041605/http://www.the42.ie/roberto-baggio-1994-world-cup-tragedy-1478916-Jun2014/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1994/luglio/10/resurrezione_dell_Arrigo_co_0_9407103435.shtml|title=la resurrezione dell' Arrigo|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|language=it|date=10 July 1994|access-date=7 January 2015|archive-date=5 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105025231/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1994/luglio/10/resurrezione_dell_Arrigo_co_0_9407103435.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Baggio gave a man of the match performance in the semi-finals; he scored two more goals to beat [[Bulgaria national football team|Bulgaria]] 2–1 at Giants Stadium, leading Italy to the World Cup final for the first time in 12 years. He scored his first goal after beating two players and curling the ball from outside the area into the bottom-right corner. His second was scored with a half volley from a tight angle, assisted by [[Demetrio Albertini]] with a lobbed ball.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.storiedicalcio.altervista.org/mondiali_1994_bulgaria.html|title=Italia-Bulgaria, Coppa del Mondo USA 1994 - 2-1|publisher=Storie di Calcio|language=it|access-date=13 June 2012|archive-date=21 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621002946/http://www.storiedicalcio.altervista.org/mondiali_1994_bulgaria.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1994/luglio/14/Baggio_porta_paradiso_co_8_9407142134.shtml|title=Baggio ci porta in paradiso|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|language=it|date=14 July 1994|access-date=7 January 2015|archive-date=8 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091108053124/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1994/luglio/14/Baggio_porta_paradiso_co_8_9407142134.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Quote box|width=33%|align=left|quote="I knew what I had to do and my concentration was perfect. But I was so tired that I tried to hit the ball too hard."|source=—Baggio on his physical and mental state before taking the penalty in the final.<ref name="FIFA 94">{{cite web|url=https://origin.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=174363/profile.html|title="Divine by moniker, divine by magic".|publisher=FIFA.com.|access-date=1 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321173319/http://origin.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=174363/profile.html|archive-date=21 March 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
Baggio was not fully fit for the [[1994 FIFA World Cup Final|final]] against [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] at the [[Rose Bowl (stadium)|Rose Bowl]] in [[Pasadena, California]], after pulling his hamstring during the semi-final and playing with the aid of a painkiller injection.<ref name="FIFA 94"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1994/luglio/15/resta_filo_Baggio_co_0_940715257.shtml|title=ci resta un filo di Baggio|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|language=it|date=15 July 1994|access-date=7 January 2015|archive-date=18 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118171712/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1994/luglio/15/resta_filo_Baggio_co_0_940715257.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Has so much ever hung on a hamstring?">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/profile-has-so-much-ever-hung-on-a-hamstring-roberto-baggio-italys-buddhist-footballing-hero-1414123.html|title=Has so much ever hung on a hamstring? - Roberto Baggio, Italy's Footballing Hero|location=London|work=The Independent|date=16 July 1994|access-date=29 June 2012|archive-date=29 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729090340/http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/profile-has-so-much-ever-hung-on-a-hamstring-roberto-baggio-italys-buddhist-footballing-hero-1414123.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Despite being far less dominant than in previous matches, he still tested Brazilian goalkeeper [[Cláudio Taffarel]] and was able to set up a few chances for his teammates. The match ended 0–0 after extra time; he took Italy's last penalty in the resulting shootout, but he put the decisive spot-kick over the crossbar, which meant the Brazilians won the title, resulting in one of the most upsetting moments in World Cup history,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1994/luglio/18/Baggio_sbaglia_tiro_della_sua_co_0_9407181835.shtml|title=e Baggio sbaglia il tiro della sua vita|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|language=it|date=18 July 1994|access-date=7 January 2015|archive-date=25 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125150552/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1994/luglio/18/Baggio_sbaglia_tiro_della_sua_co_0_9407181835.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2006/ottobre/31/Baggio_McEnroe_Schumi_Come_sbaglia_co_9_061031079.shtml|title=Da Baggio a McEnroe e Schumi Come si sbaglia un punto decisivo|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|language=it|date=31 October 2006|access-date=7 January 2015|archive-date=31 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031000328/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2006/ottobre/31/Baggio_McEnroe_Schumi_Come_sbaglia_co_9_061031079.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> and a miss with which his career would frequently become associated.<ref name="World Cup memories: Roberto Baggio, 1994">{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/world-cup-memories-roberto-baggio-1994-1.945615 |title=World Cup memories: Roberto Baggio, 1994 |work=CBC Sports |last1=Molinaro |first1=John F. |date=20 May 2010 |access-date=17 April 2020 |archive-date=23 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123120442/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/world-cup-memories-roberto-baggio-1994-1.945615 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Immediately after the match, Baggio stated that he was "very disappointed," also noting that "a shock of pain" went through his leg as he kicked. Reportedly, Baggio stood near the goal alone for 8 minutes with his head down after missing the penalty, which has given him the moniker "The Man who Died Standing" <ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/aj/1994.htm |title=1994 Final Kick Means World to Brazil |newspaper=The Washington Post |last1=Howard |first1=Johnette |date=18 July 1994 |access-date=17 January 2024 |archive-date=10 February 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020210061918/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/aj/1994.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Baggio has since described the infamous miss as the worst moment of his career, stating that it affected him for years, and that he still "dreams" about it to this day.<ref name="The redemption of Roberto Baggio1">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldsoccer.com/blogs/the-redemption-of-roberto-baggio|title=The redemption of Roberto Baggio|publisher=World Soccer|author1=Steven Green|author2=Jamie Rainbow|date=16 November 2013|access-date=3 September 2014|archive-date=20 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131120211805/http://www.worldsoccer.com/blogs/the-redemption-of-roberto-baggio|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.90min.com/posts/footballers-who-became-defined-by-a-penalty-miss-01e893ts1z3b |title=Footballers Who Became Defined by a Penalty Miss |publisher=90min.com |date=14 May 2020 |access-date=17 January 2024 |archive-date=17 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117202241/https://www.90min.com/posts/footballers-who-became-defined-by-a-penalty-miss-01e893ts1z3b |url-status=live }}</ref> In his autobiography, when recounting the miss, he later reflected: "Penalties are only missed by those who have the courage to take them."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tuttojuve.com/storia-bianconera/auguri-campione-la-juve-non-ti-ha-dimenticato-16487|title=Auguri Campione: La Juve Non T Ha Dimenticato|publisher=Tutto Juve|language=it|access-date=1 May 2014|archive-date=2 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602201055/http://www.tuttojuve.com/storia-bianconera/auguri-campione-la-juve-non-ti-ha-dimenticato-16487|url-status=live}}</ref> Before him, two other Italians, [[Franco Baresi]] and [[Daniele Massaro]], had already missed penalties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.storiedicalcio.altervista.org/mondiali_1994_brasile.html|title=Italia-Brasile, Coppa del Mondo USA 1994 - 0-1|publisher=Storie di Calcio|language=it|access-date=13 June 2012|archive-date=21 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621012626/http://www.storiedicalcio.altervista.org/mondiali_1994_brasile.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Having led Italy to the final with his memorable performances, Baggio received the [[FIFA World Cup awards#Golden Ball|Silver Ball]] as the second-best player of the tournament, behind [[Romário]], and also finished tied for second in goals scored throughout the tournament, although he missed out on the [[FIFA World Cup awards#Golden Boot|Bronze Boot]], which went to [[Kennet Andersson]] and Romário.<ref name="Happy birthday"/><ref name="FIFA Awards – World Cup Golden Ball"/> He was also named in the [[FIFA World Cup awards#All-Star Team|World Cup All-Star Team]].<ref name="94WCAll-Star1"/> Baggio finished runner-up for the [[Ballon d'Or]], with 136 points from a possible 245,<ref name="Ballon d'Or 1994">{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/europa-poy94.html|title=European Footballer of the Year ("Ballon d'Or") 1994|website=[[RSSSF]]|access-date=7 February 2014|archive-date=1 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001010216/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/europa-poy94.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and third place for the [[FIFA World Player of the Year]] in 1994.<ref name="Leggende Azzurre: Roberto Baggio"/>

Despite Baggio's association with missing the decisive penalty in the 1994 World Cup final shoot-out, former ''[[Telelatino]]'' broadcaster Alf De Blasis stated in 2010 that he believed that Baggio's performance throughout the entire tournament cemented his legacy as a footballer.<ref name="World Cup memories: Roberto Baggio, 1994"/> Reflecting on Baggio's performance at the 1994 World Cup in 2001, Stefano Bozzi of [[BBC Sport]] stated: "At the USA 94 World Cup, [Baggio] single-handedly hauled Italy to the final."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/1644696.stm |title=Baggio's final World Cup fling |publisher=BBC Sport |last1=Bozzi |first1=Stefano |date=8 November 2001 |access-date=17 April 2020 |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728113955/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/1644696.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2006, the BBC described him as "Italy's best player throughout the [1994] tournament."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4851230.stm |title=World Cup history - USA 1994 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 May 2006 |access-date=17 April 2020 |archive-date=13 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413134707/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4851230.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, Emmet Gates instead described Baggio's run-up to the 1994 World Cup final with Italy as "the greatest show of individual excellence since another equally majestic number ten [Maradona] dominated the [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986 tournament]]."<ref name="The redemption of Roberto Baggio2"/> When summarising Baggio's 1994 World Cup in 2018, Ed Dove of ''[[ESPN FC]]'' stated that "'[t]he Divine Ponytail' had arguably been the outstanding player of the tournament, bailing Italy out on numerous occasions, but his inspirational touch deserted him when it mattered most."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/23439690/world-cup-moments-baggio-heartbreak-1994 |title=World Cup moments - Baggio's heartbreak - 1994 |publisher=ESPN FC |last1=Dove |first1=Ed |date=8 May 2018 |access-date=17 April 2020 |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728113952/https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/23439690/world-cup-moments-baggio-heartbreak-1994 |url-status=live }}</ref> His colleague Nick Miller instead stated that "Roberto Baggio was the best player at the 1994 World Cup, dragging Italy to the final virtually on his own."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.in/football/fifa-world-cup/4/blog/post/1845194/roberto-baggio-skied-penalty-graham-poll-three-card-trick-in-top-world-cup-bloopers |title=Roberto Baggio's skied penalty, Graham Poll's three-card trick in top World Cup bloopers |publisher=ESPN FC |last1=Miller |first1=Nick |newspaper=Espn |date=16 April 2018 |access-date=17 April 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806194017/https://www.espn.in/football/fifa-world-cup/4/blog/post/1845194/roberto-baggio-skied-penalty-graham-poll-three-card-trick-in-top-world-cup-bloopers |url-status=live }}</ref>