Editing Roberto Baggio (section)

=== 2000–2004: Brescia ===
{{Quote box|width=33%|align=right|quote="Roberto Baggio was the best Italian ''[[Playmaker|fantasista]]''; he was better than [[Giuseppe Meazza|Meazza]] and [[Giampiero Boniperti|Boniperti]], and he was amongst the greatest of all time, right behind [[Diego Maradona|Maradona]], [[Pelé]], and maybe [[Johan Cruyff|Cruyff]]. Without the injury problems and the difficulties with his knees, he would have been the very best player in history."|source=—[[Carlo Mazzone]], Baggio's coach at Brescia.<ref name="il più grande del calcio">{{cite web|url=http://www.calciopro.com/calcio-italiano/roberto-baggio-il-piu-grande-del-calcio-italiano/|title=Roberto Baggio: il più grande del calcio italiano|website=calciopro.com|language=it|access-date=9 October 2014|archive-date=15 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015162159/http://www.calciopro.com/calcio-italiano/roberto-baggio-il-piu-grande-del-calcio-italiano/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
After two years with Inter, Baggio decided not to renew his expiring contract due to his conflicts with Marcello Lippi, making him a free agent at age 33.<ref name="Biografia: Roberto Baggio"/> He was linked with several Serie A clubs, such as Napoli and [[Reggina Calcio|Reggina]],<ref name="Baggio eyes Spain">{{cite web|url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2000/08/08/baggio-eyes-spain|title=Baggio eyes Spain|publisher=SBS|date=8 August 2000|access-date=20 October 2014|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070108/http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2000/08/08/baggio-eyes-spain|url-status=live}}</ref> and also various Premier League and [[La Liga]] clubs, including Barcelona.<ref name="Baggio eyes Spain"/> Baggio ultimately transferred to Serie A newcomers Brescia under head coach [[Carlo Mazzone]], aiming to save them from relegation; he remained in Italy in order to have a greater opportunity of being called up for the [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002 World Cup]].<ref name="Ambitious Baggio joins Brescia">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/4771342/Ambitious-Baggio-joins-Brescia.html|title='Ambitious' Baggio joins Brescia|newspaper=The Telegraph|author=Astrid Andersson|date=15 September 2000|access-date=20 October 2014|archive-date=26 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926005759/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/4771342/Ambitious-Baggio-joins-Brescia.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He was made captain and was given the number 10 shirt,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2000/09/17/mazzone-juve-accuse-veleni.html|title=Mazzone-Juve, accuse e veleni|newspaper=La Repubblica|language=it|author1=ENRICO CURRO'|date=17 September 2000|access-date=22 January 2016|archive-date=28 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128175752/http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2000/09/17/mazzone-juve-accuse-veleni.html|url-status=live}}</ref> playing as an attacking midfielder.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2000/09/16/brescia-baggio-subito-contro-la-juve.html|title=Brescia, Baggio subito contro la Juve|newspaper=La Repubblica|language=it|date=16 September 2000|access-date=22 January 2016|archive-date=28 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128171130/http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2000/09/16/brescia-baggio-subito-contro-la-juve.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite injury problems during the first half of the season, Baggio re-found his form and managed ten goals and ten assists in the [[2000–01 Serie A|2000–01 season]].<ref name="Biografia: Roberto Baggio"/><ref name="Storie di Provincia">{{cite web|url=http://www.mondopallone.it/2013/07/18/storie-di-provincia-le-quattro-stagioni-del-brescia-di-baggio-e-mazzone-e-non-solo/|title=Storie di Provincia: le quattro stagioni del Brescia di Baggio e Mazzone (e non solo)|website=mondopallone.it|language=it|date=18 July 2013|access-date=20 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020060539/http://www.mondopallone.it/2013/07/18/storie-di-provincia-le-quattro-stagioni-del-brescia-di-baggio-e-mazzone-e-non-solo/|archive-date=20 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Brescia finished in a joint seventh place, their best Serie A finish since the league's re-establishment in 1946, and qualified for the UEFA Intertoto Cup, also reaching the quarter-finals of the [[2000–01 Coppa Italia|Coppa Italia]], losing to eventual winners Fiorentina.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/online/campionato_partite/bresciabari/bresciabari/bresciabari.html|title=Mazzone fa il capolavoro Brescia settimo in classifica|newspaper=La Repubblica|language=it|date=17 June 2001|access-date=22 January 2016|archive-date=19 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619145027/https://www.repubblica.it/online/campionato_partite/bresciabari/bresciabari/bresciabari.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Baggio helped Brescia to the final of the [[2001 UEFA Intertoto Cup]], where they were defeated by Paris Saint-Germain on away goals. Baggio scored one goal in the tournament, in the final from a penalty.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=3975.html|title=PSG edge past Brescia|publisher=UEFA|date=21 August 2001|access-date=29 May 2015|archive-date=18 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018143819/http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=3975.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> His performances earned him a nomination for the [[2001 Ballon d'Or]], and he finished 25th overall in the rankings.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2001/11/13/nomination-del-pallone-oro-anche-baggio-fra.html|title=Pallone d'Oro 2001: Anche Baggio fra i Magnifici 50|newspaper=La Repubblica|language=it|date=13 November 2001|access-date=10 June 2012|archive-date=28 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728174405/http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2001/11/13/nomination-del-pallone-oro-anche-baggio-fra.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Baggio was one of the best offensive [[playmaker]]s in the league,<ref name="The Trequartista">{{cite web|url=http://www.soccertranslator.com/2013/10/part-ii-of-tactical-thesis-trequartista.html |title=Part II of a Tactical Thesis: "The Trequartista" by Roberto Mancini |access-date=20 October 2014 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141020151631/http://www.soccertranslator.com/2013/10/part-ii-of-tactical-thesis-trequartista.html |archive-date=20 October 2014 }}</ref> winning the [[Guerin d'oro]] Award in 2001, awarded by the Italian sports magazine ''[[Guerin Sportivo]]'', to the player with the highest average rating throughout the season with at least 19 appearances.<ref name="Guerin d'Oro">{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/italpoy.html |title=Italy - Footballer of the Year |access-date=6 February 2015 |url-status=live |website=[[RSSSF]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121013030/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/italpoy.html |archive-date=21 January 2015 }}</ref>

At the start of [[2001–02 Serie A|2001–02 season]], Baggio scored eight goals in the first nine matches, leading him to the top of the Serie A goalscoring table.<ref name="altervista"/> In his eighth league appearance of the season, against Piacenza, Baggio scored a goal but later suffered an injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ricerca.gelocal.it/lanuovasardegna/archivio/lanuovasardegna/2001/10/22/SWC02.html|title=Codino Decisivo Baggio: gol da tre punti e infortunio E il Brescia dopo tredici anni espugna lo stadio Garilli di Piacenza|publisher=La Nuova Sardegna|language=it|date=22 October 2001|access-date=7 January 2015|archive-date=9 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109085954/http://ricerca.gelocal.it/lanuovasardegna/archivio/lanuovasardegna/2001/10/22/SWC02.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> A week later, against [[A.C. Venezia|Venezia]], he scored from a penalty, but he endured a more serious injury following a hard challenge which caused him to tear the ACL of his left knee, keeping him out of action for four months.<ref name="corriere">{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2002/febbraio/05/Baggio_operato_addio_sogno_Mondiale_co_0_0202057521.shtml|title=Baggio operato, addio al sogno Mondiale|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|language=it|date=5 February 2002|access-date=7 January 2015|archive-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222110435/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2002/febbraio/05/Baggio_operato_addio_sogno_Mondiale_co_0_0202057521.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> He suffered a second serious injury that season, tearing the meniscus in his left knee, after returning to the team, and coming off the bench, in the [[2001–02 Coppa Italia|Coppa Italia]] semi-final against Parma on 31 January 2002.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/online/calcio_coppe/bresciaparma/bresciaparma/bresciaparma.html|title=Coppa Italia, Baggio si infortuna ancora|newspaper=La Repubblica|language=it|access-date=7 January 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924153839/http://www.repubblica.it/online/calcio_coppe/bresciaparma/bresciaparma/bresciaparma.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He was operated on 4 February 2002 and he returned for three matches before the end of the season, making a recovery in 76 days.<ref name="repubblica.it">{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/online/calcio/baggiogol/baggiogol/baggiogol.html|title=Baggio fa felice il calcio ritorno record e due gol|newspaper=La Repubblica|language=it|access-date=7 January 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924153606/http://www.repubblica.it/online/calcio/baggiogol/baggiogol/baggiogol.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 21 April 2002, in the first game after his comeback, Baggio came on as a substitute to score two goals against Fiorentina, helping Brescia win the match.<ref name="repubblica.it"/> He scored again against Bologna, saving Brescia from relegation on the final matchday, and bringing his seasonal tally to 11 goals in 12 Serie A matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legaseriea.it/it/serie-a-tim/match-report/-/match-report/Brescia-Bologna/10450s |title=Brescia-Bologna (3-0) |publisher=legaseriea.it |access-date=7 January 2015 }}{{dead link|date=May 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Despite Baggio's performances and public demand, Italy national team head coach Giovanni Trapattoni did not deem him fully fit, prompting the coach to leave Baggio out of the final squad for the 2002 World Cup.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/online/calcio/primamond/primamond/primamond.html|title=Trapattoni: "Basta con Baggio Ora pensiamo al Mondiale"|newspaper=La Repubblica|language=it|date=12 May 2002|access-date=7 January 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924153652/http://www.repubblica.it/online/calcio/primamond/primamond/primamond.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Trapattoni also expressed concern about bringing Baggio to the World Cup due to the presence of [[Francesco Totti]] and Alessandro Del Piero in his role, believing that this could create a rivalry between the players.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/online/calcio/azzuanalisi/azzuanalisi/azzuanalisi.html|title=La logica di Trapattoni esclude Robi Baggio|newspaper=La Repubblica|language=it|access-date=20 October 2014|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924153604/http://www.repubblica.it/online/calcio/azzuanalisi/azzuanalisi/azzuanalisi.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After missing out on the tournament, Baggio reversed his initial decision to retire after the World Cup, expressing his intention to surpass the 200 Serie A goal mark.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sport.it/articolo/roberto-baggio |title=Baggio, il ritorno |website=sport.it |language=it |access-date=20 October 2014 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924121837/http://www.sport.it/articolo/roberto-baggio |archive-date=24 September 2010 }}</ref>

Baggio maintained a high level of performance under new coach [[Gianni De Biasi]].<ref name="Storie di Provincia"/> Baggio managed 12 goals and 9 assists during the [[2002–03 Serie A|2002–03 season]], helping Brescia to an eighth-place finish and another [[2003 UEFA Intertoto Cup|UEFA Intertoto Cup]] spot. He scored his 300th career goal from a penalty on 15 December 2002, in Brescia's 3–1 home victory over [[A.C. Perugia Calcio|Perugia]], also setting-up one of [[Igli Tare]]'s goals.<ref name="Biografia: Roberto Baggio"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/online/calcio2002_partite_a/bresciaperugia/bresciaperugia/bresciaperugia.html|title=Con Tare e Baggio da record il Brescia supera il Perugia|newspaper=La Repubblica|language=it|access-date=14 January 2015|archive-date=14 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114082010/http://www.repubblica.it/online/calcio2002_partite_a/bresciaperugia/bresciaperugia/bresciaperugia.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the [[2003–04 Serie A|2003–04 season]], the final season of his career, Baggio recorded 12 goals and 11 assists. He scored his 200th goal in Serie A in a 2–2 draw against Parma on 14 March 2004,<ref name="Parma vs. Brescia, 2004 - Baggio 200 gol">{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/2004/c/sezioni/sport/calcio/serie_a/giornata25/parmabrescia/parmabrescia.html|title=Parma vs. Brescia, 2004 - Baggio 200 gol|newspaper=La Repubblica|language=it|access-date=10 June 2012|archive-date=30 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110130094934/http://www.repubblica.it/2004/c/sezioni/sport/calcio/serie_a/giornata25/parmabrescia/parmabrescia.html|url-status=live}}</ref> saving Brescia from relegation, as they finished the season in 11th place.<ref name="Parma vs. Brescia, 2004 - Baggio 200 gol"/> Baggio was the first player in almost 30 years to surpass the 200-goal milestone, and is currently only one of seven players to have accomplished the feat. Baggio scored his final and 205th Serie A career goal on the second last matchday, in a 2–1 home win over [[2003–04 Coppa Italia|Coppa Italia winners]] Lazio on 9 May 2004; he also set up Brescia's first goal in that match.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/2004/e/sezioni/sport/calcio/serie_a/giornata33/brescialazio/brescialazio.html|title=Lazio: brutto tonfo, Champions lontana Il Brescia in festa nell'addio di Baggio|newspaper=La Repubblica|language=it|date=9 May 2004|access-date=14 January 2015|archive-date=14 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114081332/http://www.repubblica.it/2004/e/sezioni/sport/calcio/serie_a/giornata33/brescialazio/brescialazio.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Baggio played his last career match on 16 May 2004 on the final matchday of the season at the [[San Siro]] against Milan, which ended in a 4–2 loss to the Serie A champions; during the game, he set-up [[Matuzalém]]'s second goal.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/2004/e/sezioni/sport/calcio/serie_a/giornata34/milanbrescia/milanbrescia.html|title=A San Siro la festa del Milan E il saluto a Roby Baggio|newspaper=La Repubblica|language=it|date=16 May 2004|access-date=14 January 2015|archive-date=14 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114081412/http://www.repubblica.it/2004/e/sezioni/sport/calcio/serie_a/giornata34/milanbrescia/milanbrescia.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the 88th minute, De Biasi substituted Baggio, prompting the 80,000 present at the San Siro to give him a standing ovation; Milan's captain, defender [[Paolo Maldini]], who was Baggio's former teammate both with the Italy national team and Milan, also embraced him before he left the pitch.<ref name="Biografia: Roberto Baggio"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/sport/articoli/articolo201382.shtml |title=Tutti in piedi, Baggio dice basta |publisher=www.tgcom24.mediaset.it |language=it |date=16 May 2004 |access-date=6 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307173728/https://www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/sport/articoli/articolo201382.shtml |archive-date=7 March 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

With Brescia, Baggio scored 46 goals in 101 appearances in all competitions, scoring 45 goals in 95 Serie A appearances, and one goal in two European matches. Baggio also made four Coppa Italia appearances with Brescia. Baggio retired as Brescia's all-time leading goalscorer in Serie A. He ended his career with 205 goals in Serie A, making him the seventh-highest scorer of all time, behind Silvio Piola, Francesco Totti (who overtook him in 2011), [[Gunnar Nordahl]], Giuseppe Meazza, [[José Altafini]], and [[Antonio Di Natale]] (who overtook him in 2015). Baggio's number 10 shirt was [[Retired numbers in football (soccer)|retired]] by Brescia in his honour, and he is considered the club's greatest ever player.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eurocalcionews.sportlive.it/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=32961|title=Un uomo, un numero, una maglia|publisher=EuroCalcioNews|language=it|access-date=10 June 2012}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Before Baggio had joined Brescia, they had never been able to avoid relegation after being newly promoted to Serie A, in over 40 years. During the four years under Baggio, Brescia recorded their best ever Serie A run and were never relegated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://golcalcio.it/Brescia.htm|title=Il Grande Brescia di Baggio|website=gocalcio.it|language=it|access-date=19 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526115323/http://www.golcalcio.it/Brescia.htm|archive-date=26 May 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>