Former ‘World player of the year” Roberto Baggio injured in home robbery

Former world football star Roberto Baggio, aged 57, sustained injuries during a violent robbery at his villa in northern Italy.

The incident occurred on Thursday evening while Baggio was watching Italy’s 1-0 European Championship defeat to Spain on television with his family.

According to Italian media, five armed men forcibly entered Baggio’s home near Vicenza. During the robbery, one of the assailants struck Baggio in the head with a rifle butt as he attempted to defend himself. The impact left him needing hospital treatment.

“Fortunately, the violence I suffered only caused me stitches, bruises, and a lot of fear,” Baggio told the ANSA news agency on Friday.

The robbers locked Roberto Baggio and his family in a room before ransacking the house, making off with watches, jewellery, and money.

After the intruders fled, Baggio managed to break down the door and alert the police. No other family members were harmed during the ordeal.

The incident left the 1993 World Player of the Year and 1994 World Cup runner-up shaken but grateful that the injuries were not more severe. The police are currently investigating the robbery, but no arrests have been made so far.