Ex-Italy star Baggio, family robbed at gunpoint

Retired Italy star Roberto Baggio was robbed at gunpoint at his home while watching the national team’s game against Spain at the European Championship on Thursday, local police said.

At least five armed robbers burst into Baggio’s villa near the northern city of Vicenza around around 10 p.m. local time, according to Italian media reports. One struck Baggio on the head with the butt of a gun when the former football player confronted them.

The robbers locked Baggio, 57, and his family in a room while they stole jewelry, watches and cash.

After the thieves left, Baggio broke down the door and called police. He was taken to the hospital and received stitches for the wound. His family members were not harmed.

“Anything can happen under such circumstances. Fortunately, the violence only resulted in some stitches, bruises and a lot of fear,” Baggio said in a statement to the Italian news agency ANSA. “Now we have to get over the fear.”

Baggio played 56 games for Italy, scoring 27 goals. He played for Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan, three of the country’s biggest clubs.

Spain won the match against Italy in Gelsenkirchen 1-0.

Information from Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report.