Feelings towards Ex-Juve players (4 Viewers)

baggio · Oct 30, 2003

Well you might want to. Because Vieri might just be the man putting Arsenal out of the Champions League this season.
Not that, there arent any others who'll have the opportunity before him.

KB824 · Oct 30, 2003

Alex, it's more than just Football with Baggio.

He's a symbol, an icon to Italians not only in Italy but Italians around the world. If you ask any Italian, in any country, what they feel about him, you'll get a sense that they treat Baggio more like a family member than just another great football player. Personally, I don't care if he's still playing at the age of 43 for some Serie C3 team, I will follow wherever he goes. It absolutely broke my heart when he left Juve, and it still bothers me that he's not on the National Team, even though I know that he wouldn't be one of the 22 best on the team.

I don't mean to sound defensive, nor do I mean to typecast anyone, but unless you're Italian, you truly can't grasp what he means to the Italian people and the Italian culture. Again, this isn't meant to offend, I'm just giving you my viewpoint from an Italian-American who is extremely proud of his heritage and his culture. Quite frankly, I wish more Italian-Americans were prouder of their roots and where they came from, but I digress. He is woven into the fabric of the Italian people, and he's quite likely the 2nd most popular person in Italy, next to his holiness, the Pope.

Sorry about my rant.

But Roberto means a lot more to some of us than just being a great football player, he's a symbol of Italian pride.

Ok, carry on.

Martin · Oct 30, 2003

Why then?

KB824 · Oct 30, 2003

Why what?

Why have we embraced Baggio??

There's a romantic quality about him, his look, his personna, the fact that he can be controversial without coming off as a showboat, his grace, diginity, courage, especially after coming back from multiple knee injuries the way he has, the belief that as much as he gave to his country in football, we always felt he could've given a little more.

He's is the perfect walking contradiction. We love him for what he has done, but we are always left with the feeling we could've gotten more, depsite the fact that in WC 94 he had a severely injured hamstring and shouldn't have been playing in the first place, yet we know they wouldn't have gotten that far without him.

He also can go against the grain and cause a furor over something like converting to Buddhism, in a very Roman Catholic country, and still have the respect and admiration of the masses.

I'm sure everyone remembers, I'm not sure if it was last year or the year before, when he had missed a large part of the season after yet another ligament operation, and comes back in the last game of the season and scores 2 goals, and the entire country, including government officials and members of opposing teams, were saying that Baggio must be on the National Team. I also remeber that every stadium showd those highligts on their video screens, and everyone at those stadiums, regardless of club loyalty, gave him a standing ovation.

That's the type of passion and respect that Baggio has from his fellow countrymen, and words alone cannot describe it.

It's just something that's in our hearts, Alex.

I've tried to explain it the best way that I can.

Wings · Oct 30, 2003

Deep dude ... real deep.

I've seen so many players come & go at Juve but only one has left lingering negative thoughts ....
The one & only David Baiocco :fero:
Positively remembered are:
Altobelli Saw this guy in Worldcup 82 - Reason for me supporting Juve.
Platini - I didn't see any of his games but the highlights showed he was a special talent & the Tuesday newspaper (That's when we got the Italian Serie A results back then) featured his exploits.
Toricelli - The pirate! A man I will always respect.
Di Livio - His energy & drive will never be forgotten.
Baggio - Style & grace.
Zidane - He holds a special place in my heart. Sad we didn't get to win the CL with him. Amazing player.
Amoruso - Most will judge you from your second coming but you did us proud when it mattered.
Ravanelli The white feather - Even in Nation Wide you still evoke sweet memories.
Perruzzi Unbeatable object.
Boksic Hard to find a big man with so much grace.
Attilio Lombardo Flair! Pure unadulterated flair.
Vialli - The master! Goal getter supreme.
Inzaghi - You were one heck of brave soul! I am just glad you didn't die getting one of those dare devil goals. Loved your celebrations.

There are many more ......

KB824 · Oct 30, 2003

Thank you.

It's from the heart, and unless you're Italian, like I said earlier, it's tougher to grasp the whole concept of what Baggio means to us.

It's not meant to be offensive to any Non-Italians, nor am I saying that they are ignorant for not knowing it.

It's just something that is deep inside of us :touched:

My Paesanos out there know what I am talking about

Zlatan · Oct 30, 2003

Since when are you Italian? Italian heritage maybe, but that makes you no less American and no more Italian

Wings · Oct 30, 2003

++ [ originally posted by USA Juventini ] ++

Thank you.

It's from the heart, and unless you're Italian, like I said earlier, it's tougher to grasp the whole concept of what Baggio means to us.

It's not meant to be offensive to any Non-Italians, nor am I saying that they are ignorant for not knowing it.

It's just something that is deep inside of us :touched:

My Paesanos out there know what I am talking about

You are welcome.

KB824 · Oct 30, 2003

When people ask me my nationality, I tell them that I'm Italian-American. I am no less Italian than anyone who was born in the Old Country. I am also very proud to have been born in the USA, and very proud of my country. However, the only TRUE americans are the american Indians, since they were here first.

KB824 · Oct 30, 2003

Are you trying to stir up some shite with me, GOAT????

Zlatan · Oct 30, 2003

Chill man, I was only asking because I didnt know :wth:

Relax

KB824 · Oct 30, 2003

Ok, we're cool then

Zlatan · Oct 30, 2003

No, I'm cool, while you, on the other hand, are old

baggio · Oct 30, 2003

Hey there USA Juventini!
Great explanation. I couldnt have said it better. And although i am not italian. I know exactly what Baggio means to the Italians. Becoz if u see his following outside Italy, u can only imagine what he means to the Italians and the country!!!

Wings · Oct 30, 2003

Old ... Now you are picking on me eh?
If you read my list of players above you might notice am a hell lot older ....

KB824 · Oct 30, 2003

++ [ originally posted by baggio ] ++
Hey there USA Juventini!
Great explanation. I couldnt have said it better. And although i am not italian. I know exactly what Baggio means to the Italians. Becoz if u see his following outside Italy, u can only imagine what he means to the Italians and the country!!!

Thank You.

I tried my best.

Martin · Oct 30, 2003

You're right, Serge, I'm not Italian and I don't get it.

Thanks for the explanation thou

KB824 · Oct 30, 2003

You're welcome, Boss.

Anytime.

mikhail · Oct 30, 2003

Beckham is a hard-working, talented player I like and admire, though not to the extent his fans would like. Beckham is a decent, simple person I find difficult to dislike. Beckham is a media-creation/celebrity I dispise.

Basically, he's been built up and cast down by the British media at will. After France 98, Beckham was England's scapegoat, booed at away venues, made out to be a petulent little twat. Phil Neville took on that role for Euro 2000, but I do remember Beckham, walking off after a match (possibly Romania, maybe Germany in the WC qualifiers), giving the finger to the crowd. Why? Some of them had been shouting things at him that no guy should have to hear. About his wife, his kids. Threats, slurs, just plain abuse. He's a national hat figure.

Then, when Shearer, the media's beloved "England Captain", a new hero had to emege for the papers to drool over. Beckham was given the captaincy, and he hauled England to the WC by sheer sweat and blood. Against Greece, he ran his legs off, covering the whole midfield, as Scholes, Gerrard and Barmby(?) went missing. He even got the fairytale ending of scoring the necessary goal in the dying minutes of the game.

So Beckham, this media icon, emerges as the greatest footballer on the planet (which anyone with even a little footballing knowledge would dispute). Even the England fans suddenly found a great well of respect for him, their "England Captain".

How can you like the paper god? But at the same time, what's to dislike in the guy himself?

mikhail · Oct 30, 2003

Back to the topic on hand. Not being a Juve fan per se, I can't give my feelings on Inzagi with the same dual nature as some of you lot. I've always felt him to be a cheating, boxhugging, offside divemonkey.

In my experience, a supporter of a small club can respect a player leaving for a chance at the big time, provided he had no chance of it with his club.

On the other hand, woe betide any spanner who leaves for a rival team in a move of questional merit. That's just betrayal. Heros can become Judas' in very short order.

I know. My club's player of the season last year left for the local rivals.

Man, am I glad he just failed a dugs test.

Feelings towards Ex-Juve players (4 Viewers)

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