Dino Baggio Claims Italian Football Has Lost Its Identity, Suggests Luka Modrić Could Thrive at AC Milan
Former Italian international Dino Baggio has delivered a scathing critique of the current state of football in his homeland, arguing that the sport on the peninsula has lost its fundamental identity. In a candid interview with the Spanish newspaper AS on Monday, April 6, 2026, the 54-year-old midfielder lamented the decline of youth development and the tactical stagnation of the modern game.
Baggio, who earned 60 caps for the Azzurri between 1991 and 1999, did not hold back in his assessment of why Italy has struggled to maintain its historical dominance. While the national team remains a powerhouse in record books—boasting four World Cup titles (1934, 1938, 1982, and 2006)—Baggio believes the current trajectory is worrying.
The Modrić Longevity Blueprint
Amidst his criticisms of the domestic system, Baggio pointed to 40-year-old Luka Modrić as the gold standard for modern professionalism. In a surprising suggestion, Baggio claimed that the Croatian maestro could still perform at a high level for several more seasons, specifically naming AC Milan as a potential destination.
“I tried to play until I was 33 or 34, and even that felt like too much back then,” Baggio noted. “Today, 40 is almost normal. Modrić, for example, could continue for another three or four years at Milan.”
To emphasize the shifting boundaries of athletic longevity, Baggio referenced Kazuyoshi Miura, noting that the Japanese striker continues to play even at Baggio’s own age of 54. For Baggio, Modrić represents a new era of athlete durability that Italian clubs should look to emulate or recruit.
An Identity Crisis in Serie A
The core of Baggio’s frustration lies in the perceived erosion of the “Italian way” of playing. The former Parma, Lazio, Juventus, and Inter midfielder argues that the league’s reliance on foreign talent has come at the expense of domestic growth.
Baggio asserts that while Italy possesses an abundance of raw talent, the system fails to nurture it. He claims that young players are neither properly shaped nor given the necessary opportunities to integrate into top-flight football. This failure, he argues, is a primary reason why Italy has failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive tournament.
“Italian football has changed too much compared to our days,” Baggio said. “For a long time, there has been no investment in young prospects as there was when I played. Back then, truly great Italian players were emerging.”
Tactical Shift: From Speed to Stagnation
Beyond the roster construction, Baggio took aim at the tactical evolution of the game. For a player who thrived in a more dynamic era, the current preference for possession-based football feels sterile.
He described modern Italian football as “boring,” contrasting it with the high-speed counter-attacks and rigorous tactical discipline of the 1990s. According to Baggio, the game has shifted from a focus on pace and strategic precision to a repetitive cycle of passing the ball without a clear purpose.
This tactical shift is particularly poignant coming from a player who reached the 1994 World Cup final in the United States, an era where Italy’s defensive solidity was paired with lethal transitions.
The State of the Azzurri
The disconnect between Italy’s glorious past and its current reality is reflected in the global rankings. As of April 1, 2026, the Italian national team sits 12th in the FIFA World Rankings. While the Azzurri—named for their traditional sky-blue jerseys—remain respected, the lack of World Cup appearances has left a void in the national psyche.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) continues to oversee a team with an unmatched pedigree, including two European Championship titles (1968, 2020) and an Olympic gold medal from 1936. Still, Baggio’s comments suggest that these accolades are becoming relics of the past rather than foundations for the future.
Key Takeaways from Dino Baggio’s Analysis
- Modrić’s Future: Baggio believes Luka Modrić could play until age 44 and suggests AC Milan as a viable fit.
- Youth Neglect: A claim that Italian talent is ignored and poorly developed compared to previous decades.
- Foreign Influence: An over-reliance on foreign imports in the domestic league is cited as a reason for national team failures.
- Tactical Decline: Modern possession-based play is viewed as “boring” compared to the speed and counter-attacks of the 90s.
- World Cup Absence: These systemic issues have led to Italy missing three consecutive World Cups.
As the Italian game searches for a way to reclaim its identity, Baggio’s critique serves as a reminder of the tension between the traditional “Calcio” philosophy and the globalized, possession-heavy nature of the modern sport.
The next major checkpoint for the Italian national team will be its ongoing efforts to climb the FIFA rankings and secure a return to the world’s biggest stage.
Do you agree with Baggio? Could Modrić actually lead the midfield at AC Milan into his mid-40s? Let us know in the comments.
