Former Italian football star robbed at gunpoint while watching Italy-Spain game

Retired Italian football star Roberto Baggio has been robbed at gunpoint while watching the national team play Spain at Euro 2024.

At least five armed robbers burst into Baggio's villa near the northern city of Vicenza around 10pm local time (9pm BST) on Thursday, according to Italian media reports.

One intruder hit the 57-year-old on the head with the butt of a gun when the former player confronted them.

FILE - Italian soccer legend Roberto Baggio smiles as he attends an event at the Expo 2015 World's Fair on the occasion of the UN World Food Day in Rho, near Milan, Italy, Friday, Oct. 16, 2015. Retired Italy star Roberto Baggio was robbed at gunpoint on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at his home while watching the national team’s game against Spain at the European Championship. Italian media reports say at least five armed robbers burst into Baggio’s villa near the northern city of Vicenza around arou
Image: Roberto Baggio in 2015. File pic: AP

The robbers locked him and his family in a room while they stole jewellery, watches and cash during the raid, which reportedly lasted 40 minutes.

Baggio was taken to hospital and received stitches for the wound. None of his family were harmed.

Known as 'The Divine Ponytail' during his playing career, Baggio was a gifted attacking midfielder who played 56 games for Italy, scoring 27 goals and starring in the 1990 and 1994 World Cups.

He played for Vicenza in his youth, going on to star for other Serie A clubs such as Fiorentina, Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan.

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Spain won the match, beating Italy 1-0, securing their place in the knockout stages of the tournament in Germany.

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