Italian football icon Roberto Baggio has revealed the depth of his despair following his crucial penalty miss in the 1994 World Cup Final against Brazil. He candidly stated, “If I had had a knife, I would have stabbed myself.”
Baggio reflected on the 1994 tournament and his post-retirement life during a recent interview with The Athletic.
The former forward was instrumental in leading Italy to the final against Brazil, but the missed penalty in the shootout ultimately sealed the Azzurri`s defeat in Pasadena.
Baggio: ‘I would have stabbed myself’ after 1994 World Cup penalty miss
Franco Baresi and Daniele Massaro had already missed their opportunities before Baggio stepped up. Brazil still had a penalty kick remaining after Baggio’s attempt.
Nevertheless, that error clearly devastated Baggio.
“If I had had a knife at that moment,” he confessed, “I would have stabbed myself.”
He continued, “If I had had a gun, I would have shot myself. In that moment, I genuinely wished I was dead. That is exactly how I felt.”
Baggio: 1994 World Cup affected by heat
Baggio also commented on the conditions during the tournament in the United States, adding, “The heat significantly impacted the entire World Cup, not just our games. It was incredible.”
“We were forced to push ourselves beyond human limits just to compete,” he explained. “But despite these difficulties, we were fueled by passion and the drive to succeed. Many Italians living there as immigrants were incredibly proud of us, and we felt that support as a team. It gave us an extra boost to overcome the challenges.”
