Italy’s 1982 World Cup hero Paolo Rossi died aged 64

Former Italian striker Paolo Rossi passed away last night at the age of 64. The Italian striker will always be remembered for his performance at the 1982 finishing as top scorer and being named best player.

Paolo Rossi has played for some renowned clubs in Italy. He had played for Juventus and AC Milan in his career. In his 338 matches for multiple clubs, he has scored 134 goals.

He had been handed a three-year ban in the fallout from the “Totonero” scandal in 1980. The suspension reduced to two years and he re-established his reputation. In the 1982 World Cup, he became a key factor in Italy’s champion title. Italy beat ‘Tournament favourite’ Brazil by 3-2. Rossi also scored in the semi-final and final.

“That goal, more than any other goal I’ve ever scored, completely defined my characteristics,” Rossi told a FIFA documentary in 2018 about the goal of the final.

“It was mine because I stole that precious tenth of a second from the defender and I knew, he would never reach me.”

After his death yesterday, his wife Federica Cappelletti posted a picture of them together on social media with the caption “Per sempre” (“forever”).

The Italian football federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina said, “Pablito’s passing away is another moment of deep pain, a wound to the heart of all fans that is difficult to heal.”

“We’ve lost a friend and an icon of Italian football.”

“In spurring the national team on to success in 1982, he had Italians celebrating in squares across the country, both for him and with him.”

“He indelibly tied his name to the Azzurri and, through his style of play, inspired numerous strikers of future generations.”- he added.