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VICENZA, Italy (Reuters) – Thousands of mourners gathered in the Italian city of Vicenza on Saturday for the funeral of former Italian forward Paolo Rossi, whose coffin was carried to the cathedral by his teammates from the World Cup winning team 1982.
Marco Tardelli, Antonio Cabrini, Giancarlo Antognoni, Alessandro Altobelli, Franco Causio, Fulvio Collovati and Giuseppe Bergomi were among the pallbearers. The event was broadcast live on state broadcaster Rai.
Rossi, who died Thursday at the age of 64 from an illness, returned from a two-year soccer ban to score six goals, including a hat-trick in an epic 3-2 win over Brazil, which led to Italy to his party. third world title.
“I have not only lost a teammate, but also a friend and a brother,” said Cabrini, who provided the center for Rossi to score the first goal against Brazil.
“Together we fought, we won and sometimes we lost, always bouncing back even in the face of disappointment. We were part of a group, that group, our group. I didn’t think it would go away so soon.
Before the funeral, Rossi’s coffin was placed at the Stadio Romeo Menti in Vicenza, where supporters could lay flowers and pay their respects.
Rossi was the top scorer in Serie B, as he led Vicenza to promotion in 1976-77 and was also the top scorer in Serie A the following season.
“In recent days we have received incredible and moving expressions of affection. I hope that Paolo has seen all this affection,” said Rossi’s wife, Federica Cappelletti.
“Paolo was from the people, from everyone, and it is only fair that he be remembered for his greatness.”
(Reporting by Brian Homewood, edited by Ed Osmond)
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