Why did Paolo Rossi call him Pablito? It does not derive from the World Cup

You say Paolo Rossi and you think of the 1982 World Cup, the triumph in Spain of the mythical Enzo Bearzot team and his goals in the decisive matches after the uncertain group stage. The connection to the nickname Pablito is immediate, logical, given the tenor of the blue hit and the third world star in the hearts of Italians. Sometimes, however, logic misleads: Paolo Rossi, in fact, did not become Pablito in 1982.

The origin

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The forward has undoubtedly seen his nickname consecrated with the 6 goals in Spain and the consequent Ballon d’Or, but the name has already been ready for use for four years: with the Bearzot team in 1982 rescuing Pablito, perfect for the assonance with the language of the host nation. However, reality tells us that in 1978 the World Cup was organized by another Spanish-speaking country, Argentina. The azzurri stop at the gates of the final, but the first group stage (there were two in that format) is memorable, on behalf of Pablito. The team closes it with complete points against France, Hungary and Argentina. In the debut match against the transalpinos it is precisely the tip of Lanerossi Vicenza to equal the lightning advantage of Bernard Lacombe, allowing then Renato Zaccarelli to complete the overtaking at the beginning of the second half. Even in 3-1 against the Magyars, the first blue goal was from Paolo Rossi, while the delicate crossing at the Monumental against the host team was decided only by Roberto Bettega. In the second group stage there is only one victory for Italy -over Austria- with a 1-0 signed by the attacker who in those days became Pablito. Being the most crystalline talent in Vicenza, in fact, Rossi always receives special attention from the regional newspapers of Veneto, in particular Il Gazzettino. The newspaper rightly misses the opportunity to celebrate and Giorgio Lago, future director of the Venetian newspaper, calls him Pablito. It is automatic, since it is played in Argentina: little Paolo, or Paolino, declines like this in those latitudes.

The feat

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As in the best novels, it is with a defeat that the foundations of a resounding success are laid and it happens that even four years after the World Cup, where Paolino is Pablito by exception, in Spain. Called again by Bearzot amid criticism (the attacker was arrested after being disqualified for football bets and the technical commissioner resigns Roberto Pruzzo to make room for him), in the initial round, Rossi limping only remedied an assist against Cameroon, but in the last three games repeats his nickname to are goals, very heavy. The unforgettable hat-trick against Brazil in the round of 16, the double against Poland in the semifinal and the goal against Germany at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid, the one with the blue advantage. Result: the tournament’s top scorer title, the World Cup raised to the sky, the Ballon d’Or. And Pablito is back Pablito, forever.