22 Facts About Dino Baggio

Dino Baggio was born on 24 July 1971 and is an Italian former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.

Dino Baggio had a spell in England with Blackburn Rovers.

Dino Baggio began his football career at age five in Tombolo, a province of Padova.

Dino Baggio was spotted by Torino scouts at the age of 13 and taken into the Torino youth system.

Dino Baggio made his debut in Serie A as a 19-year-old against Lazio and became a regular member of the starting line-up, making a name for himself as a promising youngster.

Dino Baggio emerged as a tenacious, hardworking, consistent, and versatile defensive midfielder during his time at the club, who was capable of playing in several positions.

Dino Baggio initially rejected Parma's offer, stating his intention to stay at Juventus.

At the time, Juventus were ready to offer Parma a young forward named Alessandro Del Piero instead of Baggio, in order to retain their defensive midfielder; Parma accepted the offer, but before the transfer could be finalised, Dino Baggio changed his mind, and decided he would make the move to Parma.

Dino Baggio committed a foul on Gianluca Zambrotta, and was shown a controversial straight red card by referee Stefano Farina.

In protest, Dino Baggio made the "money sign" towards the referee, and subsequently spat on the ground close to Farina.

Dino Baggio was criticised for his behaviour, and was handed a two match ban, in addition to being fined 20 million lire, by his club, for the gesture.

Dino Baggio was prevented by Luciano Nizzola, the FIGC president at the time, from taking part in Italy's friendly match against Sweden, on 23 February 2000.

In October 2000, Dino Baggio was sold to the newly crowned Serie A champions Lazio for 10 billion Italian lire, along with Nestor Sensini.

Dino Baggio made 15 appearances and scored 2 goals, but Ancona finished dead last.

Dino Baggio retired in 2005 after a short spell with Serie B side Triestina, at the age of 34.

At youth international level, Dino Baggio won the 1992 European U-21 Championship with the "Azzurrini", and in the same year, he took part in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona with the Italian Under-23 side, under manager Cesare Maldini.

Dino Baggio featured in the match along with fellow debutant Demetrio Albertini, who would play alongside Baggio in midfield with Italy for much of the 1990s.

Dino Baggio would continue to play in other tournaments for Italy throughout the 1990s, such as Euro '96, in which the Italians were eliminated in the first round.

Dino Baggio played in every game for Italy at the 1998 World Cup under Cesare Maldini, which would prove to be his last major tournament with the Azzurri; Italy were eliminated on penalties by hosts and eventual champions France, after reaching the quarter-finals of the tournament.

In total, Dino Baggio amassed 60 caps and scored 7 goals for the Italy national team between 1991 and 1999.

Dino Baggio was a complete, well-rounded, hard-working, tenacious and tactically versatile player, who was capable of playing in various midfield positions and was deployed as a central midfielder as well as a box-to-box midfielder throughout his career, although his primary position was in a defensive midfield role, where he excelled at breaking down the opposition's attacking plays.

Dino Baggio was regarded as one of the greatest Italian players of his generation, and as one of the most consistent midfielders in Serie A during the 90s.