This is Roberto Baggio's first
and only autobiography. In the year that could probably be the last one of his
career the most famous Italian champion of the 90's reveals himself to us as he
has never done before. On answering the pressing questions of the editors of the
book - Ivan Zazzaroni (editor of «Guerin Sportivo»), Enrico Mattesini (publisher
of Limina) and Andrea Scanzi (writer of «Rigore») - he speaks of his life: his
ups and downs, his dramatic as well as his sensational moments.
The book is organized in thematic chapters and opens with a shocking chapter
about Roberto Baggio's Buddhist faith. In fact his Buddhist spirituality is the
right key to understand the complex personality of this unique champion during
and even after a match. He has always avoided banality and never liked to show
himself off. He has instead lead a normal life among his few nearest and dearest
- his parents, his seven brothers, his inseparable wife he met when he was 15,
his children Mattia and Valentina and his friends.
Baggio speaks widely of his career and answers the many criticisms against him
telling us also quite openly about the difficult relationship he had with those
coaches who mostly hindered his talent and his fame: Sacchi, Ulivieri and mainly
Lippi.Then we can feel he is deeply moved when he names Daisaku Ikeda, that is
Soka Gakkai's master, the Japanese Buddhist school he has been a follower of for
13 years. He confides us he is fascinated by the Argentinian pampas and says he
goes there every summer. He gets fun out of the many jokes he has made on his
friends and then he gets excited when he speaks about his love for hunting, as
he thinks it is an opportunity to regain what Hemimgway called a closer
relationship with the world.
In the end we are quite surprised to find out he is quite different from what
the public thought he was. He is mature and introverted, he seeks refuge in
nature when he needs to relax, he can watch birds flying for a long time, he
likes daybreak and would do anything for his family. He is also able to give his
all to what he believes in and has very close friends.
Interviews by:
Enrico
Mattesini;
Texts edited by:
Enrico Mattesini and Andrea Scanzi;
Work coordinated by:
Ivan Zazzaroni;
Statistical appendix edited by:
Elio Barraco;