EBN- Salvatore “Toto” Schillaci, an icon of Italian football and the top scorer at the 1990 World Cup, has died at the age of 59.
Schillaci scored six goals and was the star player for Italy at their home World Cup as the Azzurri reached the semi-finals.
The striker, who played for Inter Milan and Juventus, won the Golden Ball as player of the tournament and finished second in the Ballon d’Or that year.
Inter announced his death on Wednesday. Schillaci had been admitted to hospital in Palermo last week following treatment for colon cancer.
“He made an entire nation dream during the ‘magic nights’ of Italia ‘90,” Inter said in a post on Twitter/X. “FC Internazionale Milano gathers around the Schillaci family for the passing of Toto.”
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni led the tributes to the striker. A football icon is leaving us. A man who has entered the hearts of Italians and sports fans around the world.
“Thanks for the emotions you gave us, for having made us dream, celebrate, embrace, and wave our national flag. Bon voyage, champion.”
Schillaci’s iconic wide-eyed celebration became one of the images of the 1990 World Cup, the tournament where “Toto” made his name.
The Sicilian did not start Italy’s opening match but came off the bench to score the goal of their 1-0 win over Austria.
He led the Azzurri to the semi-finals, scoring in the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals, where the hosts lost on penalties to Diego Maradona’s Argentina.
