| Roberto Baggio celebrates his 39th birthday and reveals he was offered a return to football with Carlo Mazzone’s Livorno squad.
“I spoke to Mazzone the other day,” he told Radio Deejay. “He asked me to come with him to Livorno. Mazzone is a great Coach and, if I had less aches and pains, then out of sheer gratitude for all he’s done for me I would’ve considered it. He helped me so much in 2000, as I had been left on my own.”
Il Divin Codino’s career was twice resurrected by the veteran tactician, as in 1997-98 the time spent at Bologna earned him a place in the World Cup squad, then after a brief spell at Inter he found new security at Brescia.
Mazzone took over at Livorno a fortnight ago following Roberto Donadoni’s resignation and was hoping to put together that extraordinary partnership for a third time.
Baggio hung up his boots on May 16, 2004, having struggled throughout his entire career with knee injuries.
“I’m getting old now,” said the former World and European Player of the Year. “I am a normal person like everyone else, as I do my hobbies, spend time with my family and do regular things. I can also enjoy fatherhood with my youngest Leonardo, who is my whole life, but I think three children are enough.”
Even at the age of 39, Mazzone and many others still hope to see Baggio on the playing fields once more.
“I follow the sport and watch a few matches on television, but I don’t play any more. I haven’t set foot on the pitch since the day of my retirement and have put on at least three or four kilograms. After so many years in football, it’s only normal I’d want to do something else for a while, but I do have a passion for this game.”
There could be a different future for him, as the former Fiorentina and Juventus legend hints at a possible career coaching youngsters.
“I fear modern football is getting worse,” he noted. “Children are the future and the most wonderful creatures on the planet because they are pure. Football starts from them and we need to get them on the right track.”
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发表于 2006-2-11 02:11:00
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