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Today the world of football, and beyond, has given the last and excited salute to Paolo rossi, who died last Thursday after an illness that had already exhausted him. To avoid gatherings, the square and the streets leading to it are closed. Vicenza Cathedral. Only 250 people attended the funeral ceremony due to restrictions due to the Covid-19 emergency. Yesterday the cordial greeting of the city (funeral home at the Menti stadium) to its great champion with very long lines of ordinary people who wanted to say goodbye to Pablito, hero of the ’82 World Cup.
ANTOGNONI: “PAUL TAKEN US TO THE ROOF OF THE WORLD”
“There is great regret for losing a person with whom I lived happy years, a reference for the joy that he gave off, on and off the field. He took us to the top of the world. It was a duty for us to come.” to greet him. “Giancarlo Antognoni was one of those who carried Paolo Rossi ‘s coffin to the funeral among his teammates in the 82nd World Cup, won by Italy.” We were always in contact in our chat and he was an architect – added the champion of Fiorentina- We lose an exquisite person from all points of view. In the end we didn’t realize what was happening to him, I hope at least he didn’t. suffered “.
FUNERALS OVER: SON ALESSANDRO CARRIES THE CASKET OUT OF THE CHURCH WITH THE ’82 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
It was the turn of his son Alessandro, with Antonio Cabrini at his side and Giancarlo Antognoni, Claudio Gentile and Bruno Conti at his side, to carry the coffin of Paolo Rossi outside the Cathedral of Vicenza at the end of the funeral officiated by Don Pierangelo Ruaro. The world champion’s coffin, wearing a blue No. 20 jersey on top and a Vicenza scarf, was greeted by applause from the people crowded outside behind the barriers. The greetings and hugs from his former teammates and from FIGC President Gabriele Gravina to his wife Federica and their children Alessandro, Sofia Elena and Maria Vittoria are moving.
THE PRIEST IN THE HOMILY: “PAUL, NOW YOU WILL TRAIN YOURSELF IN THE COVERTIAN OF HEAVEN”
“Paolo lived his illness with the grace and discretion of always. His greatness was to be a champion, but never a character. Now you can train in the Coverciano of the sky.” Thus the priest in the homily during the funeral of Paolo Rossi. “Let’s try to describe Paul as a Christian – he continued – In a recent interview he said ‘I belong to a generation for which Christian values were important. He was an altar boy. He began to play in the team that the priest put up. One week. in seminary it was enough for him to understand that this was not his path. I am not a fanatic and I firmly believe that we are passing through this earth, to prepare for a future life. His faith was formed by everyday life, kindness, respect, simplicity and humility. “” After the victory of the World Cup in Spain they asked him what was the best moment. ‘The final of the final’ – he replied – ‘During the walking around the field with the glass in hand gives me cramps – he said -. a billboard and I see people hugging in the stands. This was the most beautiful moment, seeing the joy that we had given to the Italians. “Smart as one snake in the field but in all his life as simple as a dove, that’s how Paolo was “, he concluded.
BERGOMI: “PAOLO ROSSI SYMBOL OF OUR GROUP”
Paolo was a symbol of that winning group, not only for what he did on the pitch, but also off it. His greatest gifts were humanity and availability for all, but also the ability to smile ”. Then Beppe Bergomi remembering Paolo Rossi in Vicenza on the day of the funeral of the former World Cup hero. “With him I shared my experience as a television commentator at the 2006 World Cup – added Bergomi, the mascot of the 82 world champions – here he was also an example of moderation in the comments”.
CABRINI: “I LOST A FRIEND, I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU”
“I have not only lost a partner, but a friend and a brother. Together we fight, win and sometimes lose, always standing up even in the face of disappointments. We were part of a group, that group, our group. You would be leaving so soon, but we would still walk a lot together. “This is how Antonio Cabrini, former teammate of Juventus and the National Team, recalls Paolo Rossi with his voice broken with emotion on the occasion of his funeral in the Duomo.” I already miss you, your words of comfort, your jokes and your stupid jokes. Your improvisations and your smile. I miss everything about you, today I want to thank you because if I am what I am, I also owe it to the wonderful friend that you have been “, he added.” I will never leave you, but you are close to all of us, as I will be close to Federica and your children, “Cabrini concluded.
GALDERISI: “THE REFERENCE IN THE FIELD AND OUTSIDE”
Di Paolo I remember his card when he was little more than a child, then I was lucky enough to play with him. His teachings have been fundamental in my career, he has always been a point of reference on the field but above all outside. “Giuseppe Galderisi, Pablito’s teammate on the national team and Juventus, was also visibly moved when he remembered the missing champion and whose funeral it is being held in the Vincenza Cathedral. “I will miss him very much – added Galderisi – and I am sure that the whole world of football will miss him.”
GRAVINE BLUE SHIRT DEPOSITS ON THE IRON
FIGC President Gravina placed a blue shirt of the Italian national team with the number 20 on the coffin of Paolo Rossi, in front of the altar of the Cathedral of Vicenza where the funeral has just begun.
THE COMPANIONS OF ’82 BRING THE IRON
To carry the coffin to the Cathedral of Vicenza were the former teammates in blue who won the 1982 World Cup with him. Cabrini and Tardelli were at the head, Roberto Baggio also in the church, outside the town choirs to sing ‘Paolo, Paolo … ‘.. Fulvio Collovati recalled his friend with these words: “I think I was the first when Federica (his wife) sent us the message at 3 in the morning, making the news official. He wrote us “Please don’t forget.” But how can we forget it? I owe him a lot because I am a World Champion thanks to him ”.
MALDINI: “PAOLO ROSSI WAS ITALIAN FOOTBALL”
Paolo’s death hit me because I didn’t know anything about his illness and therefore it was lightning out of nowhere. He represented Italian football, he has no equal. “Paolo Maldini thus remembers Paolo Rossi, before the funeral ceremony begins at the Duomo in Vicenza.” Paolo Rossi was just him and I was lucky enough to play for Milan, he at the end of his career and I at a very young age, “added Maldini.
ALTOBELLI: “THE STRONGEST”
“Paolo was the greatest of all, as well as the strongest striker of all time.” With these words Alessandro Altobelli, outside Vicenza Cathedral, remembered Paolo Rossi before the funeral began. “He was a symbol of that group not only on the field but also outside and even once he left football,” added the former champion. “We were both attackers, but he was much stronger than me. I always tried to copy what I was doing. but his were natural qualities and it was impossible to imitate him. He was always in the right place at the right time, he always came first. For those who want to play football, I recommend seeing who Paolo Rossi was, his great professionalism ”.
WIFE FEDERICA: “GREAT AFFECTION MAKES YOU UNDERSTAND WHEN HE WAS LOVED”
“This great affection for Paolo that I perceived is the demonstration of how much everyone loved him. He was everyone’s person, willing to give himself up, he was generous. I was glad that there was this great return. Paolo was great in everyday life also formed for simple things, great values and teachings. A person who loved family, home. “” I chose to send the first message in the chat of the ’82 Spanish champions because I know how much he cared. I thought I couldn’t write to you, I wanted them to know before the others because of the sense of team and this strong friendship. “
PIPPO INZAGHI: “HONORED TO BE COMPARED TO HIM”
“For me he was a childhood idol. I didn’t know him much but he interviewed me. I liked him a lot, he was too good, I knew how difficult it was to be on the other side. He was an example, to be compared with him. He has always moved me. and we will miss him. ”This is how Pippo Inzaghi, Benevento coach and former national footballer, remembers at Sky Sport, remembering Paolo Rossi.
