Italy's Roberto Baggio returned to say goodbye to international football after a five-year absence on Wednesday and said the 1-1 friendly draw with Spain provided him with the best moment of his career.

The former European Player of the Year, now 37, featured for 87 minutes in what had been billed as a farewell game after he announced he would retire from playing at the end of the season.

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But many of the 30,000 crowd at the Luigi Ferraris stadium used the occasion to urge Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni to hand Baggio a place in the squad for June's Euro 2004 finals -- an unlikely prospect even though it has yet to be ruled out.

"The game tonight will provide the most beautiful memory of my career," Baggio told Italy's RAI television.

"As a professional you enjoy victories and goals but nothing has been as beautiful and emotional as the demonstration of affection that I was given by these fans."

"(It was) a really special match for me. It's my last, apart from those that remain for me in the championship," he added.

BEAUTIFUL THINGS

Asked if he might reconsider hanging up his boots, Baggio said: "No, it's difficult to turn back. From now on I will give even more of my best and if that is enough for the Europeans (in Portugal)... otherwise thanks all the same and goodbye.

"The applause and the banners this evening, the love of the people are the most beautiful things that will stay inside me," said Baggio.

"It wasn't planned for me to play so long, I should have been on for less (time). You can see then that the gaffer wanted to give me the chance to get a goal but, unfortunately, it didn't come," he added.

"It was really satisfying for me to play in this match and I am grateful to all the people who showed their affection tonight and every time that I have played.

"It was a special game, which could be my last even if there are still three games left in the season.

"I really cared about this match and it was a shame that I wasn't really in shape, I could feel my leg," said Baggio who had picked up an injury at the weekend.

SPLENDID GESTURE

To add even more emotion to the occasion Baggio appeared with the captain's armband after skipper Fabio Cannavaro was withdrawn at the interval.

"When Cannavaro went off the armband should have gone to (Christian) Panucci but Christian gave it to me so that I could finish as captain. It was another splendid gesture," said Baggio.

Italy's goalscorer Christian Vieri, whose header cancelled out a Fernando Torres opener, said: "It was a good match and above all a good party. Did you see the old fellah? He is still great isn't he?"

Trapattoni dodged a question about Baggio's future but said: "I saw him leave the field with tears in his eyes. He loves football and he has given the game so much.

"There is no future but I know where Baggio is. He trains 70 kilometres from me," said the Italy coach.