Fans were left in awe when Roberto Baggio and Jannik Sinner crossed paths aboard a plane in Dubai. The legendary Italian footballer, known as the “Divin Codino,” posted a photo on Instagram showing himself alongside the world’s No. 2 tennis player. Both were most likely returning to Italy for the Christmas holidays, creating a moment that quickly captured the imagination of sports enthusiasts.
Baggio’s illustrious career
Roberto Baggio, born in Caldogno in 1967, remains one of the most iconic figures in Italian football. His career spanned clubs such as Vicenza, Fiorentina, Juventus, Milan, Bologna, Inter, and Brescia. In Serie A, he recorded 452 appearances and scored 205 goals, winning two Scudetti, one Coppa Italia, and a UEFA Cup. His individual accolades include the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year, both awarded in 1993. With the national team, Baggio earned 56 caps and scored 27 goals, famously leading Italy to the 1994 World Cup final. He retired in 2004, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire.
Sinner’s rise in tennis
Jannik Sinner, at just 24 years old, has already established himself among the elite of world tennis. He ended 2025 ranked No. 2 after winning six major titles: the Australian Open, Wimbledon, Beijing, Vienna, the Paris Masters 1000, and the ATP Finals in Turin. Choosing to skip the Davis Cup finals to preserve his fitness, Sinner is now focused on reclaiming the world No. 1 spot from Carlos Alcaraz in the upcoming season. His preparation for 2026 has largely taken place in Dubai, where he has been training intensively before returning home for the holidays.
Fans celebrate the meeting of icons
The unexpected encounter between Baggio and Sinner brought together two generations of Italian sporting excellence. For fans, seeing the football legend and the tennis star side by side was a symbolic moment, bridging past and present. The photo shared by Baggio quickly spread across social media, with supporters celebrating the rare meeting of two athletes who have both left indelible marks in their respective sports.
This chance meeting highlights the enduring power of sport to unite and inspire, even in the most unexpected places.
Jannik Sinner in 2025
WWWWWWWWWW Ranked world no.2, the Italian played his last match on the 16th of November when he defeated world no.1 Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(4) 7-5 in the final in the Nitto ATP Finals to win his 25th career title.
Until now, during this year Sinner achieved a composed 58-6 win-loss record. Jannik clinched 6 titles in 2025 at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, Beijing, Vienna, Paris and the Nitto ATP Finals. Jannik reached the final in Rome, French Open, Cincinnati and U.S. Open.
