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Paolo Rossi. (Photo by Peter Robinson / EMPICS via Getty Images)
Paolo rossi, an Italian soccer hero who propelled the Azzurri to victory in the 1982 World Cup, died at the age of 64, sparking a torrent of pain and tribute.
Rossi’s wife, Federica Cappelletti, announced the death with a post on Instagram along with a photo of the couple, accompanied by the comment “Forever”, followed by a heart.
“There will never be anyone like you, unique, special, after you, the absolute nothingness ….” Cappelletti also wrote on Facebook.
The cause of his death was not disclosed, but Italian media reported that Rossi had been suffering from “an incurable disease.”
Tributes were paid to ‘Pablito’, the star who was suspended for three years for his participation in a gambling scandal, but who won the World Cup in Spain and the Ballon d’Or that same year.
Despite breaking out in the early hours, Italian media peppered with the news, while social media lit up with tributes and “Paolo Rossi” was Italy’s number one trending search article.
“Football and Italy are in mourning for Paolo Rossi”, titled Gazzetta dello Sport, as La Stampa called him the “hero of Spain ’82”.
The news of his death comes two weeks after the death of Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona, winner of the 1986 World Cup.
Rossi won the hearts of Italian fans during the summer of 1982, when his goals led Enzo Bearzot’s Azzurri to a third world title.
Italy started the tournament with three boring draws before they came to life and marched towards the title.
But Italy’s sports icon almost missed the tournament.
He was embroiled in a bribery scandal and was banned for three years in 1980, but after protesting continuously, his innocence was allowed to play after two.
A light and spirited winger turned center forward, Rossi had an uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time.
He burst onto the stage of the 1982 tournament with a hat-trick in a 3-2 loss to Brazil.
In the semifinals he scored both goals when Italy beat Poland 2-0, and scored the first goal in a 3-1 victory over West Germany in the final.
Rossi finished as the tournament’s top scorer with six goals.
He was also a member of the Italy team that finished fourth in Argentina in 1978.
Together with Christian Vieri and Roberto Baggio, he holds the Italian record for nine World Cup goals.
He scored 20 goals in 48 games for Italy and was voted European Footballer of the Year in 1982.
Born in Prato, Tuscany, Rossi made his professional debut for Juventus in 1973, but his initial two years at the Turin club were ruined by knee injuries.
His first successes at the club were with Vicenza, where he was the top scorer in Serie B with 21 goals in the 1976-1977 season, and helped the club reach the top flight.
The following season, Vicenza challenged Juventus for the league title and Rossi finished the season as the top scorer in Serie A with 24 goals.
He spent another season with Vicenza, but after relegation he went on loan to Perugia, and was embroiled in the 1980 match-fixing scandal known in Italy as Totonero.
As a result, Rossi missed the 1980 European Championship, where Italy finished fourth at home.
After his suspension, Rossi returned to Juventus, and the 1983-1984 season was the most successful at the club level.
He formed a formidable partnership with Michel Platini and Zbigniew Boniek and racked up trophies: two from Serie A, the Italian Cup, the Cup of Cups and the European Super Cup.
In 1985, Juventus won the European Cup amid the tragedy of the Heysel Stadium final, in which 39 fans died, which was to be Rossi’s last match with the ‘Bianconeri’.
He signed for AC Milan for a failed season that was overshadowed by injuries, as was his last season at Hellas Verona.
In 1987, at the age of 31, Rossi decided to turn the page after nearly 400 league games and 154 goals, and 48 internationals and 20 goals for Italy.
After his career as a footballer, Rossi worked as a television commentator.
“Terribly sad news: Paolo Rossi has left us,” said RAI Sport host Enrico Varriale.
“Unforgettable Pablito, who fell in love with all of us that summer of 1982 and who was a valuable and competent colleague at RAI during the last years.
“RIP dear Paolo.”
Rossi is survived by his wife and three children.
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