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Baggio, Costacurta,
Del Piero, Maldini
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Ten Best: Failed Italian rumors
December 20, 2011
On February 4, 1996, the MetroStars signed Robert Donadoni. With Milan-loving Charlie Stillitano running the club, we thought that this will be the first of many Italian stars who made their way to Metro. That was not the case. The only other Italian to play for the club was Nicola Caricola, acquired soon after... and clearly not a star. But it wasn't for lack of rumors that continue to this day, long since Stillitano has been sent off to the pasture...
10) Nicola Berti
Berti spent a decade commanding Inter's midfield, but was looking for a move in 1998, and the MetroStars were supposedly interested. He decided to go to Tottenham, and finished out his career in Australia.
9) Francesco Coco
The defender, known for, according to Football Italia, allegations of "unprofessional conduct and his notorious celebrity lifestyle", was linked to Metro in 2007. He retired instead.
8) Giuseppe Giannini
In 1996, Metro was in desperate need of central midfield help, and rumors had it that Giannini, Roma's midfield general for 15 years, was on top of the wishlist. But he chose to sign in Austria (Graz, not Salzburg).
7) Giuseppe Bergomi
As Lothar Matthaus made his way to Metro after the 1999 season, he was said to be looking for players to join him (he was said to be enamored with the then-young Steve Cherundolo... if only!). 36-year-old Bergomi, a Lothar teammate at Inter, was at the other edge of the age scale, and decided to stay retired.
6) Daniele Massaro
After Ruben Dario Hernandez went back to Colombia in the middle of MLS's inaugural campaign, the Metros were linked with numerous strikers. On top of the list was Massaro, who made a pioneering move to the J-League after years with Milan. The NY Times called him a "top candidate to join the MetroStars"... this after Adolfo Valencia(!) passed.
5) Christian Vieri
Early in 2006, the vagabond striker said in an interview that he is "likely" to play in New York in order to publicize his clothing company. After Red Bull took over the Metros and seemingly every over-30 striker was rumored to come here, Vieri's name appeared on the list as well. We're not sure how his clothing company is doing.
4) Paolo Maldini
In 2010, SerieACalcio.com reported that the long-time Milan stalwart "reached an agreement in principle with the New York Red Bulls" on a one-year deal for three million euros. We would understand if Stillitano opened a bottle of champagne when he heard the news, but it turned out to be complete bogus.
3) Alessandro Del Piero
This rumor is still going strong, as Montreal's general manager recently said that Del Piero is "interested" in New York. In 2010, Gazzetta dello Sport reported that the Juventus star received "attractive" offer from RBNY and is "said to be taking it very seriously". Apparently, not seriously enough.
2) Alessandro Costacurta
We all laughed with Nick Sakiewicz called Costacurta "relatively young for a central defender", for in 2002, when he visited and was talking deal, the Milan stalwart was 36. Costacurta failed to come to an agreement with Metro and returned to his club. His relatively young body contributed for five more years, be it in a reduced role.
1) Roberto Baggio
Stillitano's wet dream almost came true in 1998. As Baggio was falling out of favor in Italy and switched to unfashionable Bologna, the MetroStars were ready to snap him up. But fate intervened: Baggio went on a tear, scored 22 goals, and made the Italian squad for the World Cup. MLS decided to invest their money into Carlos Hermosillo instead.
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