Former Italian national team striker died this Wednesday (18), aged 59 Salvatore “Toto” Schillaci, victim of a colon tumor.
Top scorer at the 1990 World Cup, which earned him the nickname “hero of magical nights”, Schillaci had been battling cancer for several years and suffered a worsening in early September, when he was admitted to the Civic Hospital in Palermo, Sicily.
“We announce that today, at 9:55 am [local time], Salvatore Schillaci passed away. The management and medical team are with the family in remembering the affection that the great champion always had,” says a medical bulletin released by the hospital.
Schillaci played for Messina, Juventus, Inter Milan and Jubilo Iwata between 1982 and 1997, when injury forced his retirement. The peak of his career, however, was the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
The striker started the competition on the bench and finished as top scorer with six goals, leading the Azzurri to a surprising third place, only to be eliminated in the semi-finals by Maradona's Argentina.
“A football icon has left us, a man who entered the hearts of Italians and sports lovers around the world. Thank you for the emotions you gave us, for making us dream, celebrate, embrace and wave our flag,” Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote on social media.
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said at X that Schillaci will always be remembered for his "goals and humanity, despite the many difficulties that life has in store for him."
The former striker was also honored with messages on social media from his former clubs, such as Juventus and Inter, while the Italian Football Federation (Figc) will hold a minute's silence at the start of all matches in the country until next weekend.
“Totò was a great player, a symbol of will and recovery. He knew how to move fans because his football was passionate,” said Gabriele Gravina, president of Figc. (HANDLE)
