Roberto was called to play for the Italian national team in world cup '90 in Italy. He began the tournament on the bench. But after Italy showed a lack of scoring finish in its first two games (they won each game 1-0), coach Azeglio Vicini tried him on attack with striker Toto Schillaci. The pair were electric! Roberto even scored the tournaments best goal vs Czechoslovakia, and Italy roared into the semifinal against Argentina. But on the morning of the game, Vicini told Roberto he wasn't starting. "He said I looked tired," Roberto says "I was 23! I would have eaten grass to play." Roberto was inserted in the second half and converted a penalty kick during the shoot-out that followed the 1-1 tie. The Argentines, however, eliminated Italy on penalty kicks.