ROME (AP) — Salvatore “Totò” Schillaci, the Italy striker who was high scorer at its dwelling World Cup in 1990, has died. He was 59.
Schillaci had been hospitalized in Palermo following remedy for colon most cancers.
The Palermo Civico hospital mentioned in an announcement that Schillacci died on Wednesday morning after being admitted 11 days in the past.
Schillaci scored six objectives for Italy throughout the 1990 World Cup. He got here on instead throughout Italy’s opener in opposition to Austria, scored in a 1-0 victory, and went on to earn the Golden Boot awarded to the event’s high scorer. He solely scored one different objective for Italy in his profession.
Italian soccer federation president Gabriele Gravina introduced {that a} minute of silence could be held in reminiscence of Schillaci earlier than all video games within the nation for the remainder of the week.
“The uncontrollable celebrations, during which his face was the image of shared pleasure, will stay without end a part of Italian soccer (historical past),” Gravina mentioned. “Totò was a terrific participant, an emblem of tenacious want and redemption. … His soccer was filled with ardour. And that fearless spirit made everybody admire him and can make him immortal.”
Schillaci additionally received the Golden Ball award on the 1990 World Cup because the event’s high participant forward of Lothar Matthaus and Diego Maradona.
“Thanks for the feelings you gave us, for making us dream, cheer, hug and wave our Tricolore,” Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni wrote on X.
Schillaci performed for Messina, Juventus, Inter Milan and Japanese staff Jubilo Iwata throughout his membership profession.
“Ciao Totò,” Juventus mentioned on Instagram.
“You made a complete nation dream throughout the Magical Nights of Italia ’90,” Inter mentioned on its social media channels.
West Germany received the 1990 World Cup, beating Argentina within the remaining, whereas Italy beat England for third place with a successful penalty kick from Schillaci.
Roberto Baggio, who scored Italy’s opening objective within the third-place match, wrote on Instagram, “Ciao my expensive pal.”
With Schillaci having been born and raised in Palermo, town will maintain a public viewing of Schillaci at its Renzo Barbera stadium forward of the funeral.
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