A picture of Roberto Baggio, wearing the Brescia shirt with his iconic number 10 on his back, preparing to take a corner kick at San Siro. This is the image the `Divine Ponytail` chose for an Instagram post commemorating a historically significant day for him: the day Baggio retired from professional football.
Roberto Baggio during his playing career.
“I still feel affection,” reads the caption Baggio chose. “21 years ago, my farewell to football,” he wrote. “A life now spent off the field, and despite everything, I am fortunate to still feel the love of the fans every day. Eternally grateful to those who continue to express their affection for me today, in one way or another.”
As he himself recalled in the post, after retiring, Baggio did not hold any significant role in the world of football, except for a very brief period. On August 4, 2010, five years after ending his playing career, he was appointed president of the technical sector of the FIGC (Italian Football Federation). He left this position amidst controversy in January 2013, stating, “I don`t care about positions of power. My 900-page program, presented in November 2011, remained a dead letter, and I am drawing the consequences,” subsequently staying away from the federation`s offices.