Former Serie A referee Nicola Rizzoli recently shared a compelling anecdote about legendary player Roberto Baggio’s exceptional sportsmanship during a high-pressure match between Lazio and Brescia. Baggio’s memorable words to the referee were, “We won’t make things difficult for you.”
Widely considered among Italy’s finest footballers of all time, Baggio captivated millions worldwide with his immense talent and elegant playing style. However, Rizzoli highlighted that Baggio’s greatness extended beyond his on-field prowess with the ball.
“It was my second Serie A assignment, officiating a match between Lazio and Brescia at Rome’s Olimpico stadium,” Rizzoli recounted.
Baggio’s Assurance to the Referee: “Tell me if my players pressure you.”
“I was relatively young, around 29 or 30 years old. Although the game at first seemed straightforward, with expectations of a comfortable 2-0 or 3-0 victory for Lazio, the dynamic shifted dramatically when Luigi Di Biagio scored for Brescia just four minutes in. This early goal intensified the match, making my job significantly more challenging,” he explained.
“As we were returning to the field for the second half, Baggio approached me. He complimented my officiating, saying, ‘You’re doing a great job refereeing.’ He didn’t even know my name,” Rizzoli continued. “Then, he added, ‘We promise not to make your job harder. If any of my teammates attempt to pressure you, just let me know, and I’ll handle it personally.'”
“This gesture truly demonstrated his commitment to fair play and allowing me to perform my duties without undue influence, despite my relative inexperience as a young, unknown referee,” Rizzoli concluded. “Such interactions reveal the true character and caliber of athletes,” he reflected.
Nicola Rizzoli later rose to prominence, becoming one of Italy’s most esteemed referees. His distinguished career included overseeing numerous high-profile matches both nationally and internationally, notably the 2014 World Cup Final between Germany and Argentina, and the 2012-13 Champions League Final featuring Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.