In Appreciation of a BIG TIME Player....Baggio

There are three kinds of players worth talking about. The first are the elite, the superstars...the special players. We all know about my four horsemen that include Pele, Maradona, Real Ronaldo and Zidane. You can throw so many more in there....who had that exceptional quality, like Dinho, Okocha, Bergkamp. Then you have the BRICKS. These are the horrendous players that are so bad, they need their own label. Naming names would be a total waste of my time, your time and this blog's time. And then there is the third list...these are players who may not necessarily be outstanding..but they always know what time it is. They arrive for the big moment and they MAKE it happen.

One of those players was Roberto Baggio. The finisher, the technical precision man. He was the guy you GIVE the ball to. He is the man who is ALWAYS dangerous until the very last second of injury time in a match. He had that character, that heart and the awareness and will to always get the goal when it was needed. Despite not really getting it done for Italy and coming so close, those that saw him play will always remember him. Just like with Cristiano....he never missed a good chance. It was as good as a goal once given the opportunity.
   Baggio is the kind of player that teams underrate and don't really pay much attention to. People will always look to players like Ibrahimovic or Cristiano and Rooney. What these players lack is that big moment characteristic. I'm not talking about some World Cup PLAYOFF. I am referring to ACTUAL World Cups, Champions League Matches, key league matches. You need the player who is at his BEST and most LETHAL when the game is at its tightest and the team need that goal.

So why have I done a piece about Baggio and what relevance does it have to modern football?
  The closest thing to a Baggio today would most likely be Robben. He is that kind of player who has single-minded approach and does NOT shrink under the big lights of the monumental match. Trouble is, I can't really name any player that I can rely upon to DELIVER when the timing is tough and to SHOW UP.
  Baggio is a player who I pick FIRST before the more flamboyant and talented strikers. During that World Cup quarters, with my team drawing and in need of a late goal...there is no time for talent or skill. That is when only the PERSONALITIES show up. Players who are ready and have the desire to produce when their country or club needs it. It's what Roberto did, and it is something people should take note of and remember.......the BIG TIME players.


HH