Ex-Italy footballer Roberto Baggio injured in armed robbery

Former Juventus and AC Milan footballer Roberto Baggio has been injured in an armed theft at his house in northern Italy.

The incident started at 22:00 native time (21:00 BST) when at the very least 5 folks broke into the 57-year-old’s villa in Altavilla Vicentina, native media reported.

The veteran footballer was taken to an emergency room in Arzignano and was handled with stiches to his brow after one burglar hit him with a gun.

In his first public tackle for the reason that incident, Baggio thanked effectively wishers, including: “Now all that continues to be is to beat the concern.”

Baggio added that “happily the violence I suffered solely prompted just a few stitches on my particular person, bruises and quite a lot of concern”.

Corriere della Sera reported that the violent incident happened whereas Baggio and his household had been watching Italy tackle Spain within the European Championships.

Luca Zaia, the president of Veneto area, mentioned all Venetians hope Baggio can recuperate “from this unhealthy night”. He described the striker because the “symbolic champion of our soccer and our area”.

“What occurred have to be condemned with out ifs and buts,” Mr Zaia mentioned, including that he hopes “the bandits will quickly be delivered to justice”.

The incident reportedly went on for roughly 40 minutes.

Baggio is alleged to have tried to cease the burglars, however one of many thieves hit him on the brow with a gun, the AFP information company reported.

Shortly after, he and his household had been locked in a room whereas the culprits tore the home aside looking for valuables. It’s unclear how a lot was taken within the theft.

His household is alleged to be shaken by the incident within the Veneto area, however not injured.

When the footballer felt it was secure to take action, he broke down the door of the room they had been locked in and referred to as the police.

Italian media mentioned police had been handed CCTV footage of the incident and are wanting into it.

Often called “Divin Codino” (the divine ponytail) throughout his spell as a star within the nationwide group, Baggio led his aspect to a World Cup closing within the US in 1994.

However he missed the decisive penalty within the shootout, which gave Brazil their fourth World Cup victory.

He went on to play for each AC Milan and Inter Milan, earlier than retiring in 2004. He stays the one Italian to attain at three World Cups and stays their joint high objective scorer within the competitors.