In Vicenza the last farewell to Paolo Rossi: the ’82 world champions bring the coffin to the church PHOTO and VIDEO | First page

Many protagonists of today’s football world, but especially yesterday’s, of those who, in addition to teammates or rivals, were above all friends. And then the common people, its Vicenza, in which he had revealed himself as a footballer to the general public. All tight with pain for the last goodbye to Paolo Rossi and to try to comfort his wife Federica and their children Alessandro, Sofia Elena and Maria Vittoria.

Carry the coffin (in which FIGC President Gravina has placed the national team jersey) inside the Duomo there were the 1982 World Champions, those who together with Pablito wrote an indelible page in the history of our football: the brother friends Cabrini and Tardelli in the front row and together with them Antognoni and Collovati. And then Bergomi, Franco Baresi, Maldini, Bruno Conti, Causio, Galderisi, Bettega, Roberto Baggio among those who did not want to miss this occasion.

Among those who wanted to leave a last memory, there was also a last testimony about Paolo Rossi Alessandro Altobelli: “Paolo was the greatest of all, as well as the strongest striker of all time. He was a symbol of that group not only on the field but also outside and even once he left football. We were both forwards, but he was much stronger than me. I always tried to copy what he did, but his qualities were natural 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 ”.

Even the Milan technical director Paolo Maldini He spoke outside the Cathedral of Vicenza: “Paolo’s death hit me because I did not know about his illness and therefore it was lightning out of nowhere. He represented Italian football, he has no equal. Paolo Rossi was just him and I was lucky to play for Milan, he was at the end of his career and I was very young. “

Among the people who spoke to remember Rossi before the homily, the great friend Antonio Cabrini: “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. I didn’t think you would be leaving so soon, but we would still walk a lot together. I miss you already, your words of comfort, your jokes and your stupid jokes. Your improvisations and your smile. I really miss everything about you, today I want to thank you because if I am who I am, I also owe it to the wonderful friend that you were. I will never leave you, but you are close to all of us, as I will be close to Federica and your children. But you stay close to me. “

Among those most moved and affected by the death of Rossi, the former defender of the national team Fulvio Collovati: “When that message came from Paolo’s wife at 3 in the morning I didn’t want to believe it, it broke my heart. He was a friend, a brother. Always sunny, she was able to lift the Ballon d’Or and the next day to have a coffee with each one of us, she was disarming the simplicity ”.

Shortly after 6 in the afternoon, the coffin of Paolo Rossi arrived at the monumental cemetery of Perugia. Present the mayor Andrea Romizi with the councilors Luca Merli and Clara Pastorelli, some fans and his wife Federica Cappelletti. On Sunday morning at 9 a.m. the last farewell of the municipal administration and Perugia Calcio at the stadium Renato curi in a strictly confidential ceremony.

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