Italian striker Salvatore Schillaci (L) of Iwata Jubilo and world selections in the J.League tries to intercept a back pass by Japanese defender Saito of Shimizu S-Pulse during the J.League dream match held at Tokyo’s national stadium October 10. The world squad beat the Japanese selections 2-1. (Reuters/File Photo)
Salvatore “Totò” Schillaci, the Italian striker who won the golden ball and the golden boot award at the 1990 World Cup, died on Wednesday at the age of 59.
Schillaci had been hospitalized in Palermo’s Civico hospital 11 days ago following his treatment of colon cancer.
Schillaci, fondly referred to as Totò was Italy’s standout player during their home World Cup campaign in 1990 – scoring six goals during the edition in which Italy finished third.
Overall, he made 16 appearances for the national team during the course of his career. At club level, he represented the likes of Juventus and Italy and went on to score 154 goals from 417 appearances.
“You made an entire nation dream during the Magical Nights of Italia ’90,” Inter wrote in its tribute to Schillaci.
Italian FA president Gabriele Gravina announced that a minute of silence would be observed in the memory of Italian before all games in the country for the rest of the week.
“The uncontrollable celebrations, in which his face was the symbol of shared joy, will remain forever part of Italian soccer (history),” Gravina said. “Totò was a great player, a symbol of tenacious desire and redemption. … His soccer was full of passion. And that fearless spirit made everyone appreciate him and will make him immortal.”
In Palermo, the city where Schillaci spent his childhood years, a public viewing in his memory will be held at the Renzo Barbera stadium ahead of the funeral.
Roberto Baggio, who was Schillaci former teamate and scored Italy’s opening goal in the third-place match, wrote on Instagram, “Ciao my dear friend.”
