Sports

UPDATED: Ex-Italy Footballer Roberto Baggio Hospitalised After Robbery Attack

Published

2 years ago

June 21, 2024

Italian football legend Roberto Baggio has been hospitalised after being attacked by armed robbers who stormed his home.

The intruders locked his family up while they watched last night’s Euro 2024 match between Italy and Spain.

According to Daily Mail Sports, Baggio, 57, was at his home in Altavilla Vicentina, a small town in northern Italy about an hour’s drive from Venice, when a gang of five broke in around 10pm local time on Thursday night.

Italy lost the game to Spain by a lone goal.

While Baggio, known as Il Divin Codino (The Divine Ponytail), tried to fight off the attackers, he was hit in the head with the butt of a gun before he and his family were locked in a room.

The robbers stole watches, jewellery, and money from the isolated estate where Baggio and his family have lived for 15 years.

The exact value of the stolen items is not currently known. The robbery reportedly lasted 40 minutes.

After the robbers left, Baggio managed to break his family out of the locked room. He had to go to a hospital in Arzignano, about eight miles from his home, to be treated for his forehead injury, which required stitches.

While none of his family were physically hurt, they were left terrified by the incident.

Investigating police have been handed CCTV footage to assist in their inquiry.

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 similar circumstances, anything can happen, and fortunately, the violence suffered only generated a few stitches to my person, bruises and a lot of fear. Now all that remains is to overcome the fear.”

Petrone told Italian media, “The lightning attack, in full light, did not allow the activation of all the best security systems with which the villa is equipped.

“Now, from what happened, we will further strengthen the daytime detection systems throughout the entire perimeter.

“Only when you are hit do you realize the wounds left by an episode of violence and oppression suffered in your home, together with his family Roberto once again amazed me with the clarity and strength of spirit he expressed immediately following the attack he suffered.

“I am sure that Roberto will once again be the pillar on which his entire family can lean to leave this brutal attack. The investigators are working intensely to bring the culprits to justice.”

Baggio spent his entire 22-year sporting career in Italy, playing for Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan, and other clubs.

He won two Serie A titles and is considered one of the world’s greatest players.

A 1985 injury led him to convert from Catholicism to Buddhism, although he married his long-time partner Andreina Fabbi in a Catholic ceremony in 1989.

The couple has three children: Valentina, born in 1990; Mattia, born in 1994; and Leonardo, born in 2005.

Sports

AFCON: Osimhen Sends Message To Super Eagles Fans Globally After Nigeria’s Victory Over Algeria

Published

21 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen has shared a heartfelt message to the team’s fans around the globe following Nigeria’s 2-0 triumph against Algeria in the AFCON quarter-finals on Saturday.

Osimhen contributed to the win with a goal, while Akor Adams also found the back of the net, securing Nigeria’s progression to last-4 stage.

In a video posted on X after the match, Osimhen expressed his gratitude to Super Eagles supporters.

Sports

AFCON: Super Eagles Beat Algeria 2-0, To Play Morocco In Semi-final

Published

21 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

Nigeria have qualified for the semi-final of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The Super Eagles pulled off a stunning display to beat Algeria 2-0 in their quarter-final clash on Saturday evening, to book their spot.

Eric Chelle’s men dominated the Desert Foxes for most of the first half, but failed to find the back of the net.

The closest Nigeria came to opening the scoring, came when Calvin Bassey’s effort was cleared off the line.

But in the second half, Victor Osimhen headed in Bruno Onyemaechi’s cross, before setting up Akor Adams for the second goal.

The three-time African champions will now clash with the hosts Morocco for a place in the final.

Sports

AFCON: Nigerians React To 2-0 Against Algeria

Published

21 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

Some Nigerian football fans have reacted to Super Eagles’ 2-0 win against Algeria in the AFCON quarter-final tie on Saturday.

DAILY POST reports that goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams ensured Nigeria defeated the Desert Foxes.

Reacting, some Nigerians wondered how come the Super Eagles failed to qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following their brilliant display against Algeria.

Others hailed Eric Chelle’s men for putting in a magnificent performance against the North Africans.

Here are some comments gathered by DAILY POST on X:

@WhispersAfrica5, “Massive respect to the Super Eagles! All those early morning sessions, tactical drills, and team unity have turned this squad into a beast. Beating Algeria so convincingly didn’t happen by chance, it’s pure graft and heart. On to Morocco.”

@AbrahamAsi18962, “All players deserve massive accolades. They all display magnificent performances. It has been a while I saw Nigeria played this way. Total dominance throughout.

@FemiAyo593554, “The whole of Nigeria Team.. on fire. Osayi so solid like it’s onyemeachi.. Bassey and Semi Ajayi so solid and compose. Bruno the crosser, Ndidi, Iwobi the passer, onyeka the tank . Lookman, Akor the dreadful one, Oshimen the great.. Kudos to Marhez for saying “I AM AFRAID”.

@DanielIheke, “That’s was awesome display, brilliant performance by the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Congrats.

@Panda_521, “How did this super eagles team not qualify for the world cup with players like Osimhen and co?”

@youngskidmusic_, “What a win against the second unbeaten team in the tournament. Eric Chell deserved a chilled bottle of wine. The other guy knew what he was saying when he said he was afraid of Nigeria. He said it and we did it.”

@harrysone9 “NFF cost Nigerians the joy and place in the World Cup, but thank God they got the appointment of Eric Chelle right. So far so good; the Super Eagles have been a joy to watch.
Nigeria has a better chance of winning the AFCON than Arsenal has of winning the EPL under Mikel Arteta.”

@DanielRegha, “Super Eagles need to start playing like a team that’s ready and hungry to win the tournament; Nigeria’s performance slightly improved today, but it’s still very dissapointing considering the depth of the sqaud. Step it up already.”

@___astroblvck, “How did we not qualify for the world cup?! this is a world class performance..kudos boys.”

@AFC_EMMI, “The real challengers have arrived, Morocco is next.”