Roberto Baggio - i remember telling my mates that he was the best in the world before italia '90 even though i'd not seen a lot of him. they mocked me until the divine ponytail scored this against czechoslovakia in the group stage :
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DddpJy1LtM[/youtube]
then there's one of the most romantic acts on a football field ever. baggio was transferred from fiorentina to juventus despite not wanting to leave due to la viola needing the money. the next season, the two sides met and juventus were awarded a penalty. baggio was the usual penalty taker for juve but refused to take it. the manager was furious and substituted him.
on his way off the pitch, a fiorentina fans hurled a purple scarf onto the pitch. baggio picked it up, kissed it and layed it back where it had landed. when asked after the game to explain his actions, roberto simply said "my heart will always be purple." beautiful.
