Roberto Baggio

Roberto Baggio is an unclassifiable footballer. Gifted as Johan Cruyff, and having a strong character in the style of Eric Cantona, will always remain in the annals of senior soccer as a special case. Codino Il Divino ("the divine ponytail '), an atypical player who came within a penalty kick of the supreme glory, he gained a place as a true legend of Italian football.Roberto Baggio's story is an extraordinary striker by nature, however, had to show off a fantastic opportunity to be imposed on the basis of sacrifice and suffering, because of recurring injuries to his right knee courage. It was an

instinct player, which made up for the not particularly big (1.74 ft 73 kilos) with an unmatched individual technique and unusual when reading the game intelligence. Elegant Baggio for his entire career in Italy, since his debut in the Lanerossi Vicenza (in 1982 in the Italian third division) until hanging up his boots in Brescia in 2004.For all over the world, tens of thousands of tifosi succumbed to the charms of this atypical brain striker, who scored 205 goals in Serie A. "Baggio is not a 'nine', but not a 'ten'. It is a 'nine and a half,' "noted at the time Michel Platini, the current UEFA president, speaking of the beginning of his successor as director of Juventus game.Italy at his feetBaggio, Caldogno birthplace, a small town of the Veneto, made his first steps in football minor categories Lanerossi Vicenza. There he got a whopping 110 goals in 120 games, which also served to debut two years later in the first team, with just 15. However, in the final game of the 1984/85 season, against Rimini (who at the time was training a certain Arrigo Sacchi), suffered a serious injury to his right knee. After a long rehabilitation, he took a year and a half back to the pitch. It was the first chapter of a string of injuries, with each relapse, would jeopardize the rest of his career.

During that long period of decline, the player went through a deep spiritual crisis and finally decided to convert to Buddhism. "That helped me to better control my thoughts," said the fervent Buddhist that before games meditation sessions delivered alone.Over five seasons, Baggio went on to defend the colors of Fiorentina (39 goals in 94 games). The Fiore had previously signed his injury, and agreed to wait 18 months before I saw him debut. A gesture that the front would never forget, so much so that in April 1991, in his first season at Juventus, refused to take a penalty against Viola before going to greet his former tifosi, who had poorly digested his move to Turin.The five seasons at Juve were the consecration and recognition of his talent, with the conquest of a league, an Italian Cup and UEFA Cup, in addition to the captaincy, a title of World Player FIFA 78 goals and international consolidation. But after returning from the World Cup 1994, he re-injured after having scored a goal against Padua. In his five months in dry dock, attended impotent hatching of a young talent who the new coach, Marcello Lippi, preferred: a certain Alessandro Del Piero ...Against the will of the Bianconeri fans, Baggio was transferred to Milan, where partner in attack on George Weah and Dejan Savicevic, a second consecutive scudetto won. However, despite their goals, their technique and exquisite ball control, progression continued to be hampered by his knee, and a

misunderstanding by various coaches. "There is no place for poets in modern football," snapped Oscar Washington Tabarez when, at the dawn of the 1996/97 season, Baggio complained about not being used enough.After a successful spell at Bologna, where he scored 23 goals in the 1997/98 (the best total of his career), had a less prominent stage at Inter Milan, between 1998 and 2000. Finally, Baggio would spend their last four seasons as a player at Brescia, which remained in Serie A with 45 goals in 95 matches. The May 16, 2004, five minutes of the conclusion of the Milan-Brescia (4-2) walked off the pitch for the last time while everything San Siro, he stood and paid him a standing ovation.The Curse of the criminalHis career with the Azzurri was also marked by a relationship of love and hate. After a successful debut against the Netherlands (1-0), in November 1988, he signed his first international goal on April 22, 1989, with a superb free-kick against Uruguay. During the FIFA World Cup 1990 Italy, Azeglio Vicini started him sit on the bench. After get in the last match of the first phase, against Czechoslovakia, scored a goal anthology, to depart from his own half to get rid of half the opposing team. It was the prettiest goal of the championship, and one of the best ever World Cup.However, only entered the game 73 minutes into the semifinal, he settled with loss to Argentina in a penalty shootout. "Vicini said I looked tired. If I was 23! I have eaten the grass as the holder in that game, "lamented Baggio. To console, put another goal in the match for third place against England (2-1).Four years later, in America, Baggio reached the peak of his art. His many vital

in the final minutes of games against Nigeria and Spain, plus his two goals in the semifinal against Bulgaria, catapulted to global three-time champions to the final. But Roby was submitted to Brazil touched to the point of having to be infiltrated before the game. After 120 minutes of a dull party, was the last man who took his run from the spot in new penalties. However, his shot went over the bar, ending the Italian hopes. "I was there in body and spirit, and my concentration was perfect. But I felt so exhausted I chose to throw to break, "he said.

Symbolically, after four years, began in France its third World Cup finals scoring the penalty equalizer against Chile, having served both the first Christian Vieri. However, 30 years after the rivalry Sandro Mazzola-Gianni Rivera in Mexico, Cesare Maldini opted to resolve the dilemma between Baggio and Alessandro Del Piero alternating in ownership. Still, Baggio scored against Austria his ninth goal in the finals, and this time turned its launch in the shootout against France in the quarterfinals. Nevertheless, the Azzurri returned to be felled on that fateful launch.In 2002, the king of the comebacks came to entertain the dispute of a fourth World Cup finals, as was getting a goal after another in Brescia. But Giovanni Trapattoni, despite the pressure of public opinion, not selected, and Italy were eliminated in the second round.The May 15, 2004, Roby hung up his boots and set about its task of Goodwill Ambassador of the FAO (United Nations Food and Agriculture). Thus, toured the world to defend important humanitarian causes, until, in November 2010, received the prestigious Hiroshima World Peace Award, awarded by the assembly of Nobel Peace Prize. "Compared with this award, other personal and professional successes crave insignificant" then said Baggio.But Baggio has never left the entire Italian football and, after the failure of the Nazionale in South Africa, in August 2010 accepted the post of head of the technical department of the Italian Football Association, with special attention to the training of young players .A return to unanimity raised in Italy, yet reminiscent of the exploits of this player who broke the mold.

Giuseppe Meazza

Giuseppe Meazza, considered the greatest of all time Italian player was much more than a football genius. Indeed, this gifted, capable of all the excesses in his private life, symbolized the longstanding social success in Italy. Coming from a modest background, entered Meazza football legend after winning twice world champion, before giving his name to the prestigious stadium in Milan."Having him in your team meant a match winning 1-0 start. Was the attacker born excellence. Was reading the game, understood the situation and did run to attack the entire game with a conception always based technique" analyzed his coach in the Nazionale Vittorio Pozzo.A native of Milan's Porta Vittoria neighborhood, the small Meazza (in all senses of the word, with its 1,69 m height) was abandoned to its fate after the death of his father in the front, in 1917. Already from the 7 years, gave vent to his passion for football in the grounds of improvised game of the Milanese suburbs, where he learned to master a ball made of rags. It started to get serious at age 12 when he made his debut in a field of truth with fellow FC Gloria.

After several tifosi notice him, which was recommended to AC Milan, was however rejected by the Rossoneri big, you saw it too weak. Thus was Fulvio Bernardini, a former player of Inter's great rival, who had a hunch the young Meazza, then 14 years. The influential Bernardini wasted no time when submitting it to the Hungarian coach Arpad Weisz. For three seasons, the young prodigy would be formed through the ranks at Inter Milan, then renamed Ambrosiana-Inter. Three years later, celebrated his debut with the first team two goals thrusting the Milanese Unione Sportiva. His career was launched.Provocative and greatFrom being an unknown to the general public, in a time when communication was truly in its infancy, it took less than a season to become the darling of all Italy. Based on an exceptional technique, enjoyed trying, and generally getting more daring plays. He refused to make it as easy, and had a weakness for provocation. Thus, he was able to cross the entire field with the ball glued to his feet and get rid of his marker before stopping his career in front of the goalie, provoke and tempt you to leave; for then beat him with a last feint and enter the goal with the ball. That is, the type of move that unleashed delirium throughout the stadium ... and the wrath of his opponents!But Meazza also highlighted by an innate sense of intuition, for their releases disconcerting lack the technical folha dry, and his pinpoint passes. To make matters worse, despite their small stature, used in numerous duels imposed by high, putting many headed goals thanks to a magical gift to mark time in the auction.In his first two seasons as a starter, was aimed respectively 33 and 31 goals, including six goals to Venice on May 12, 1929 (10-2) and a pair of "hands" of goals. Vittorio Pozzo, the uncompromising Azzurri coach was fascinated with Meazza and made her international debut as a 19-year, the February 9, 1930 in Rome, against Switzerland. "The Balilla" immediately returned the ball, scoring his first double in the shirt of Italy (4-2). Three months later, he signed his first masterpiece in Budapest, in the final of the Central European International Cup in the field of large selection of Hungary. La Nazionale gave an authentic recital (0-5) with three goals Meazza tip. Never a player under 20 years had carried a similar beginning, with 10 goals in 7 caps.

The time of the coronationWhen Italy hosted the World Cup in 1934, Giuseppe Meazza was 24 and added twenty international matches. Due to the richness of his staff, he moved Pozzo shaft attack on the right side, where his dribbling unbalancing the defense while his colleagues were delighted with his assists. Ignoring the pressure that weighed on the team, as Italy's victory was imperative for the regime of Benito Mussolini, Meazza fronted championship with total relaxation. Participated in all meetings and played a decisive role in each.In the first game, closed the scoring against United States (7-1). In the quarter-final against Spain, achieved the goal of classification (1-0) in the playoff game. In the semifinal against Austria (1-0), both served the sorting Enrique Guaita. Finally, in the final against Czechoslovakia, Meazza was injured quickly, but gritted his teeth and kept playing. Already in overtime, Karel Petru, the Czechoslovak coach saw him very weak, did loosen the marking on it. It was a serious tactical mistake because Meazza reappeared at the origin of the goal that won the title, marked by Angelo Schiavio (2-1).Five months later, Italy was to play "Battle of Highbury" to "formalize" his title against an England still contesting the World Cup. The Italians, suffocated by an aggressive England team embedded three goals in the first 12 minutes, and were reduced to ten players after injury Luis Monti. For 80 minutes, would do wonders Meazza, scoring two goals and earning the respect of the English fans. But his most admirable deed signed on May 17, 1936 in Rome, in a friendly against Austria (2-2). After receiving a long ball, I saw two opposing defenses they were reaching for each side. At the last moment, stopped the ball with the tip of the sole and slowed the race. The defenders, who were released, collided just ahead of him. So, I just had to get past the keeper with his classic hint to get shot, as he often did, with the ball in the net. An unimaginable goal 70 years later, not even a game console.A white gardenia in her earAs captain of the Nazionale had to defend his title in France 1938, Giuseppe Meazza had not lost any of its effectiveness, as evidenced by their 28 goals scored in 30 games during the 1938 season. Already in the championship, however, was going to get more than a single goal (the latter with the Azzurri), converting a penalty in the semifinal against Brazil (2-1). In any case, it was the main supplier of Silvio Piola, top scorer of the tournament with five goals. With their captain carrying handle, Italy was not going to see really made uncomfortable at any time, as demonstrated by his easy victory in the final against Hungary on 19 June in Paris (4-2).Even in the most important moments of his career, Giuseppe Meazza was always a playboy who collected conquests, loved gambling, dancing the tango with a white gardenia in her ear, and was the only player who could smoke openly in front of Vittorio Pozzo . For ten years, he would continue his career on the bench for several clubs, before taking charge of the smaller categories of Inter, where he had a blunt such Sandro Mazzola (another orphan that led to glory).At his death in 1979, Inter Milan decided to rename the San Siro stadium in his honor, with the agreement of arch rival AC Milan; club in which, moreover, Meazza played for two seasons between 1940 and 1942.

Ladislau Kubala

(Budapest, 1927 - Barcelona , 2002), Spanish football player of Hungarian origin . He was one of the most iconic players in the early fifties of the twentieth century and the only player in the world who, throughout his career, defended the colors of three national teams ; Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Spain .Kubala began playing football at the School of the Hungarian Federation , where he remained for a few seasons until 1939 when he joined the ranks of the Ganz, the Third Division team of his country. In 1944 already made ​​his debut for Ferencvaros and when he turned 17, he was summoned by the national team to play their first match against Austria and internationally.In 1945 he joined the Czechoslovak Bratislava but again returned to Hungary to sign a contract with his former club, Ferencvaros , now renamed Vasas . For three seasons, he was an international player of the Czechoslovak eleven times and the Hungarian national team in six others.In 1948 he left his native country and settled in Zürich , where he had contacts with the Torino, the Italian club but at the last minute changed economic conditions and the signing was frustrated . Then he traveled to Rome and, together with Polish refugees , Yugoslavs, Romanians and Hungarians , was part of a team of exiles , the Hungaria , which held exhibitions across Europe.

In April 1951 came to Spain and joined FC Barcelona , thanks to the mediation of Samitier . After two years in the country managed to change his statelessness for Spanish citizenship and become one of the most valuable players for the fans of FC Barcelona team . Since his debut with the Blaugrana shirt April 29, 1951 against Sevilla in Cup match Kubala played for FC Barcelona during a long decade that played more than 300 games and scored nearly 250 goals .His record with the Catalan club includes four league titles (1952, 1953 , 1959, 1960 ), two Cups Fair (1958, 1960 ), five Generalissimo Cups (1951, 1952, 1953 , 1957, 1959 ), two Cups Eva Duarte and Copa America . In the year of his retirement , 1961 , came to contest the final of the European Cup against Benfica , although it was the Portuguese team who won the title . With the Spanish national team debut on July 5, 1953 , in a match played against Argentina combined , and was an international player in nineteen more times, the last one against France on April 2, 1961 . Overall, marked ten goals with the national team .After retiring as a player , he continued technical staff linked to Barça as director of the School Football players and coach of the first team in the 1962-1963 season. After briefly passed by the bench of Murcia and the Spanish before traveling to Canada, where he signed as coach of the Toronto Falcon's first (1965-1966) and after the Toronto City ( 1966-1967) . In 1968 he returned to Spain to take charge of Cordoba and a year later he was appointed coach of the Spanish national team ; position he held until 1980. Kubala was national team in 68 matches , 36 of them officers , and managed to sign a card of 31 wins , 21 draws and 16 defeats .Between 1982 and 1986 he was coach of Al Hilal in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia ) and , on his return to Spain , he was " Mr. " consecutively from Real Murcia, Malaga and Alicante Elche . In 1990, he was elected president of the Association of former FC players Barcelona and in 1991 was appointed assistant coach of the Spanish Olympic Team , led by Vicente Miera , who won the gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Games . Spanish football paid a deserved tribute on April 24, 1993 at the stadium in Montjuic Barcelona , who played a game with the selection of Catalonia and international combined . In 1995 he was hired by the Paraguayan Federation as head coach of the national team in order to prepare a World Cup 1998 but resigned and returned to Spain .