WORLD CUP USA ’94 / QUARTERFINALS : Spotlight : MATERIAL GOAL

In a letter to The Times’ Morning Briefing, reader George Kiseda asked how anyone could take the World Cup seriously if it does not have a player who has dated Madonna.

Not so fast, George. While touring Italy during the 1990 World Cup, Madonna asked for--and received--a jersey from Italian forward Roberto Baggio. Whether they exchanged shirts, in keeping with soccer’s tradition, has not been reported.