The man who died standing

Day 204 / 366

Today I learned about one of the saddest stories in football. It’s a story about the missed penalty kick by Italian footballer — Roberto Baggio.

The story starts when Roberto was just 3 years old. He saw his dad crying because Italy lost the World Cup to Brazil. At that young age, Roberto tried to console his father, telling him that one day he would win the World Cup for Italy.

Roberto grew up to become a great football player. In 1994, he was representing Italy in the World Cup. At that time, he was one of the best in the world, having won the Ballon d’Or as well.

And how poetic it was that Italy went to the finals and was facing Brazil. It was the perfect setting for Roberto to fulfill the promise he had made to his father. The match was tied and it went to penalty shootouts. Roberto had to take the last penalty. If he missed, it was game over for Italy.

Unlike movies, things don’t usually all work out in the end. Sometimes there are sad endings, and the hero doesn't always win. While it would have been the perfect end to this story if Roberto had made the goal and won the World Cup, that did not happen. And when Brazil won, Roberto was left standing in despair.

“In that moment with one shot I lost the World Cup, my second Ballon d’Or and being the best player in the world…three things with one shot.”