Roberto Baggio – 452 Serie A Matches
(Vicenza, Fiorentina, Juventus, AC Milan, Bologna, Internazionale, Brescia)
To some, perhaps a questionable choice for the Serie A’s greatest servant, but Baggio’s impact on world football is simply unrivalled by any other.
The man was the pioneer in a whole new avenue of attack, the birth of the trequartista. At the peak of his powers in the mid ’90s, Baggio turned a position that hardly existed at the time, into his own, domineering space in behind the striker. Scoring at will, eventually ending up with 205 Serie A goals across a 19-year career.
False nines, advanced playmakers, enganches and number 10s – call them what you like. The majority of modern powerhouses exploit one, and though Baggio was far from the first player to slot himself in between midfield and attack, each of the aforementioned modern roles can be derived from the creativity that Baggio demonstrated to the world.
It is almost scary to think of the career that could have been if not for numerous troubling knee injuries and disputes with managers.
The only player on this list with a Balon d’Or following his single-handed dominance of the 1994 World Cup. The fact that he is remembered for that penalty is a grave injustice for a true pioneer of modern football.
Why he never left: Following his final Serie A match: “Today I felt again the love of so many people that has accompanied my career.” (2004)
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