Paolo Rossi, Italy's hero goalscorer from their 1982 World Cup-winning campaign and hat-trick against Brazil in one of the most famous matches in the competition's history, died on Thursday aged 64. The popular striker's death comes as the football world is still mourning Argentina icon Diego Maradona, who died late last month after suffering a heart attack.
The Italian television channel "RAI Sport", where Rossi had worked as an analyst, announced on Thursday that "Pablito" had died of an "incurable disease".
Rossi's wife, Federica Cappelletti, posted a photo with her husband on Instagram along with the words "per semper" (forever).
"There will never be anyone like you, unique, special..." Cappelletti later wrote in Italian on Facebook.
The president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Gabriele Gravina, said that Rossi was "incredibly connected to the blue shirt and his style of play inspired many strikers of future generations".
Rossi, who was stately for a striker in his time, was quick, agile and intelligent. He managed to win two championship titles in Serie A, a European Cup and an Italian Cup with the Juventus jersey. He will be fondly remembered for Italy's 1982 World Cup triumph in Spain, in which he scored six goals.
His selection in the Italian national team came after a two-year ban due to a match-fixing scandal. Initially, experts criticized Rossi's inclusion in the team, insisting that he should not have been invited because he was not fit. However, all those who criticized him were surprised when Rossi excelled in that event. They surrendered to Rossi when the Italian striker scored a hat-trick to beat Brazil who were the main favorites to win. Italy's 3-2 victory in that classic encounter in the second group stage booked them a place in the semi-finals against Poland, where Rossi again made the difference. He sank the Poles with two goals in a 2-0 win to secure Italy's place in the final against West Germany. Rossi then scored a goal in the triumph of Italy (3:1), which won the third title of the world champion and the first since 1938. At the end of the world, Rossi won the "Golden Boot" as the top scorer good, and also grabbed the "Golden Ball" as the best player.
In fact, Rossi's performances were rated as the best individual performances in World Championship history. He was also awarded the "Golden Ball" in 1982 for the best footballer in Europe.
"A great hero has gone and for Italy it's a great loss," said Dino Zoff, goalkeeper on the 1982 team. "We had heard that something was wrong, but I didn't think it was that serious. I had a wonderful relationship with him, he was a fantastic person."
Another teammate, Giancarlo Antognoni, said: "Another part of my beloved football history has gone."
Born in Prato, Tuscany, Rossi played his entire career at club level in Italy. He was banned for three years in 1980 as part of the infamous "Totonero" match-fixing scandal, which he always categorically denied. Rossi's suspension was later reduced to two years, allowing him to make World Cup history and earn "personal redemption".
"On the one hand, I felt fulfilled. I said to myself, 'you made it'. It made me feel good after everything I had been through," he said in a FIFA documentary in 2018. "On the other hand, I was disappointed that it all ended. The World Cup was over."
He also scored three goals in the 1978 World Cup in Argentina. With a total of nine goals, he remains Italy's top scorer at the World Cup, alongside Roberto Baggio and Christian Vierin. Rossi was included in Italy's 1986 World Cup squad but did not play. He ended his career as an active footballer a year later at the Verona team, at a relatively young age - 30 years old.
Italians woke up on Thursday to media praise for one of the country's favorite soccer boys.
Rossi was "the one who defeated Zico's Brazil, Maradona's Argentina, Boniek's Poland and, in the final, Rummenigge's Germany", wrote "La Gazzetta dello Sport".
The former Prime Minister of Italy, Matteo Renzi, reacted on "Twitter" after the news of Rossi's death: "In our hearts forever. Goodbye Pablito".
There was also a reaction from the former winner of the World Cup with Germany, Juergen Klinsmann.
"Dear Pablito, we always remember you!".
Meanwhile, former Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni, 81, said: "Goodbye Paolo - players should never leave before coaches."