Roberto Baggio (a.k.a. ‘Roby’ and ‘Il divino‘), to my recognition the best Italian footballer of the last three decades[1], has been awarded the Peace Summit Award 2010 for his long-serving efforts in charity.
Baggio, former winner of both, the Ballon d’Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year (1993), was chosen by the world’s Nobel Peace Prize laureates for the annual award. Baggio’s philanthropist work includes activism to fight the bird flu, supporting the work of the United Nations and raising money for Haiti earthquake victims.
He has also been recognized for his efforts pressing for the freedom of Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s detained pro-democracy leader and Peace laureate.
Il Divino is also a Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Goodwill Ambassador, since October 2002.
He is the only Italian footballer ever to score in 3 World Cups (1990, 1994, 1998). Before his retirement, he played for 6 of the Serie A clubs, including the most prestigious ones such as A.C. Milan, F.C. Internazionale Milano, and of course la Vecchia Signora del calcio, Juventus F.C.
For more information about Roby Baggio please visit robertobaggio.com
November 11th, 2010.
TRC
[1] Alessandro Del Piero would be my choice as the best Italian player of the last 10 years.
