Football icon Roberto Baggio speaks out after being assaulted and confined by armed
Italian football legend Roberto Baggio has spoken out about the ‘violence’ he and his family endured after armed robbers executed a ‘lightning attack’ on their home during the Euro 2024 match between Spain and Italy.
Baggio, 57, was at his residence in Altavilla Vicentina, Italy, when five armed robbers broke in around 10 pm local time last night.
While attempting to fend off the attackers, Baggio was struck on the head with a gun. He and his family—comprising his wife, two sons, mother-in-law, and brother-in-law—were then locked in a room.
The robbers made off with watches, jewelry, and money from the secluded agricultural estate where Baggio and his family have lived for 15 years.
The Ballon d’Or winner, who scored 27 goals in 56 appearances for the Italian national team, managed to free his family from the locked room, but the robbers had already fled.
According to Corriere della Sera, the robbery lasted about 40 minutes.
Baggio was seen today walking around his estate with a bandage on his head after receiving treatment for the injuries inflicted by the robbers.
Investigating officers have obtained CCTV footage to aid their investigation.
Baggio had to go to a hospital in Arzignano, about eight miles from his home, where he received stitches for his forehead injury. Speaking to Italian media through his agent Vittorio Petrone, Baggio said: “First of all, my family and I would like to thank everyone for the great love we have received. Thank you very much.”
“In such circumstances, anything can happen, and fortunately, the violence resulted in only a few stitches, bruises, and a lot of fear. Now we just have to overcome the fear.”
Mr. Petrone told Italian media: “The lightning attack, in broad daylight, prevented the activation of the villa’s top-notch security systems.
“After this incident, we will further enhance the daytime detection systems throughout the entire perimeter.
“Only when you experience such violence and oppression in your home with your family do you realize the wounds it leaves. Roberto once again amazed me with his clarity and strength of spirit following the attack.
“I am confident that Roberto will be the pillar his entire family can rely on to move past this brutal attack. Investigators are working diligently to bring the culprits to justice.”
Diego Fabbi, Baggio’s brother-in-law, told reporters outside the villa that the family has not discussed the shocking incident much.
“We talked little about what happened. They were all watching the match together when the attack occurred. Where did they come in from? That’s the problem. We don’t know, the criminals found themselves in the living room.
“Roberto’s two sons were there, as was my mother. The criminals said little, and it wasn’t clear where they were from, but they used their hands, beating Roberto. I can’t say anything else.”
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