“Only those who have the courage to take a penalty miss them.’’

by. Robert Baggio

            Robert Baggio, one of the greatest football players, has been getting achievements for many years. However, his successes might include more hardships. We find his tough road as a football player in his plays. 

            His debut as a football player was in 1981. He has been receiving many awards through his career until 2004. He left many great plays but many football fans were especially impressed by him in 1994. At that time 1994 FIFA WORLD CUP was held and he played for Italy. Italy advanced to the final and their last opponent was Brazil. Nobody could predict how the match went on because the scoreless match continued for 120 minutes. The match was nothing but hardness. The hard-fought match finished in a draw and went into a penalty shootout. He was the fifth kicker who did the penalty shootout. Unfortunately, Daniele Massaro, the previous kicker of Baggio, missed his shoot. Baggio must have been under a lot of pressure. He had to have a skill of changing pressure into power as well as football skills. Italy’s World Cup hopes depended on him. Many fans all over the world watched the match and looked at him. He stood in front of the goal and kicked the ball powerfully. The ball went up the goal. Italy gave Brazil the championship and all the pride that Italy might have gotten after the match. ''Only those who have the courage to take a penalty miss them.’’ This is what he said after the match. He missed his goal but many fans gave him laudatory remarks contrary to the result. Even now, we can find what fans thought of the penalty shootout on YouTube. ‘’Still the best player for me.’’ ‘‘Respect Baggio!’’ ‘’He is my hero!’’ Of course, some football fans blamed for him but he did not have reasons to be blamed. That’s why football is not an individual match but a team match. And we have to respect players who try to their best in any situation. 

            After he retired in 2004, he took the post of the ambassador of FAO, witch tried to find solutions on hunger and poverty. Many people recognize Baggio as a great football player but they also do him as a great philanthropist.

(Koremichi Godai)