Roberto Baggio: The '10' who sparked a football war

With the upcoming Fiorentina vs Juventus match, memories of Roberto Baggio—a legend for both clubs—are surfacing once again. Known for his technical brilliance, the Italian forward was famously nicknamed 'Raffaello' by Juventus president Gianni Agnelli for his aesthetic mastery of the game.

The 1990 transfer of Baggio from Florence to Turin remains a historic flashpoint. After five years with the Viola, the club sold their star for a world-record fee of 25 billion lire. The move triggered fierce backlash, including public riots in Florence. Baggio, who had expressed his desire to stay, famously removed a Juventus scarf during his first press conference, reflecting the deep emotional bond he held with the Tuscan fans.

While Baggio went on to win the Scudetto with Juventus, his 1997-1998 campaign at Bologna stands out as one of his best, where he scored 22 goals in 30 matches. During this time, his relationship with coach Renzo Ulivieri became the subject of intense media scrutiny after the manager benched him for a match against Juventus—a decision that even alienated Ulivieri from his own family.

The tension eventually dissolved, as both parties gained perspective on the incident. Years later, Baggio even asked Ulivieri to share their dispute with students as a lesson in professional management. After a long period of avoiding the football spotlight, Baggio has recently begun to reappear at events, rediscovering the inner fire that defined his early career.