Roberto Baggio, a towering figure in Italian football, has offered a candid assessment of the challenges facing the national team. The legendary player, widely considered the greatest Italian footballer of his generation, expressed concern over the nation’s declining talent pool and the lack of opportunities for young Italian players.
In an interview with Corriere della Sera, Baggio highlighted a critical issue: “Kids aren’t playing in the street anymore. And in Serie A, there are not many Italians. If you have to go and get a player from somewhere else and naturalise them, it means that you haven’t been able to find an Italian ready at the same level.” He believes this decline in grassroots football has led to a loss of innate skill and street smarts that cannot be replicated on training grounds.
Baggio stressed the urgent need for a system that actively promotes and nurtures young Italian talent. “We need to create a formula that really encourages the use of Italian youngsters. The talent is still there, but we have to seek it, protect it and recognise the value. And you need to have the courage to trust them,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of giving young players a chance.
His words carry significant weight, particularly given his past experience. Baggio served as President of the FIGC’s Technical Sector from 2010 to 2012, during which he authored a report advocating for strengthened academies, grassroots investment, and a reduced reliance on foreign players. However, the federation largely disregarded his recommendations, leading to his resignation.
The subsequent statistics paint a bleak picture. By the 2024-25 season, Serie A clubs were fielding nearly three times as many foreign players aged 18 to 22 as Italian ones. This trend has coincided with a decline in the performance of Italy’s youth national teams, including consecutive failures to qualify for the World Cup.
Baggio is not alone in his concerns, with other Italian football legends like Dino Zoff also criticizing the current culture surrounding the national team. The consistent message from former players across different generations serves as a stark indictment of the federation’s inaction.
As a new leadership cycle approaches for the FIGC, there’s a potential window for the structural reforms Baggio has long championed. The task of rebuilding the national team for future tournaments is immense, and the ongoing challenges with player availability and selection offer little immediate solace. Baggio has voiced his concerns, and the crucial question remains: will Italian football finally muster the courage he calls for to implement the necessary changes and revive its talent development pipeline?