Coluna do Fla
·12 ottobre 2025
Italian legend moved meeting Zico, Flamengo idol: “My inspiration”

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Yahoo sportsColuna do Fla
·12 ottobre 2025
Two of the greatest number 10s in the history of world football, Zico and Roberto Baggio met last Friday (10) at the Maracanã. The Italian has never hidden that he is a fan of the Flamengo idol and didn’t miss the chance to take a photo with the “Galinho.”
“What a joy to see you again after so long in your beloved homeland. You were my inspiration, and I dreamed of being like you! Great Zico, I wish you well,” wrote Baggio, in a photo posted alongside the Galinho in the Maracanã locker room. Flamengo’s greatest of all responded. “Thanks a thousand, Roberto. What a joy to be with you at our Maracanã. Seeing you is always a pleasure. Thank you for everything you have done for Italian and world football,” replied Zico in the comments of Baggio’s post on Instagram.
Voted the best player in the world in 1993, Roberto Baggio became remembered in Brazil for missing the penalty for Italy that secured the fourth World Cup in 1994 for the green and yellow team. In short, during an old interview given in 2010, the European was asked if he holds any grudges against our country, and the answer was surprising.
“I don’t resent Brazil. On the contrary, my greatest idol is Zico, and I grew up watching Flamengo play in the 80s. I was and always will be an admirer of Brazilian football,” Baggio said at the time, in a conversation with Esporte Espetacular on TV Globo.
Legends of Brazil and Italy faced off at the Maracanã last Friday (10). Zico did not take the field due to knee pain, but he attended the event. With the ball rolling, the green and yellow team won 8–3, with a “show” from Romário, who scored two goals and provided two assists.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.