ROMA —
Salvatore “Toto” Schillaci, the Italian striker who was the top scorer at the 1990 World Cup his country hosted and who epitomised a player who exceeded expectations at football’s showpiece event, has died. He was 59.
Schillaci was hospitalized in Palermo after receiving treatment for colon cancer.
The Palermo Civic Hospital reported in a statement that Schillacci died on Wednesday morning after being hospitalized 11 days ago.
Schillaci scored six goals for Italy at the 1990 World Cup. He came on as a substitute in the Azzurri’s opener against Austria and scored in a 1-0 win. He went on to win the Golden Boot for the tournament’s top scorer.
He had never scored for Italy before the 1990 World Cup, making just one appearance. In total, he made 16 appearances for Italy and scored seven goals – six in the World Cup.
Italian Football Federation President Gabriele Gravina announced that a minute of silence will be held in memory of Schillaci before each of the country’s matches for the rest of the week.
“The uncontrollable emotions, of which his face was a symbol of a common joy, will live on forever in Italian football,” said Gravina. “Toto was a great player, a symbol of tenacity and redemption… His football was full of passion. And it is precisely this indomitable spirit that will make him immortal.”
Schillaci also won the 1990 World Cup Ballon d’Or, as the tournament’s best player, ahead of Lothar Matthaus and Diego Maradona.
“Thank you for the emotions you gave us, for making us dream, celebrate, embrace and wave our Tricolore,” wrote Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Schillaci played for Messina, Juventus, Inter Milan and Japan’s Jubilo Iwata during his club career. He retired as a footballer in 1999.
“Goodbye Toto,” Juventus said on Instagram.
“You made an entire nation dream during the Magical Nights of Italia 90,” Inter said on social media.
West Germany won the 1990 World Cup after beating Argentina in the final. Italy defeated England for third place with Schillaci scoring the winning penalty.
“Goodbye my dear friend,” wrote Roberto Baggio, who scored Italy’s first goal in the third-place play-off, on Instagram.
Schillaci was born and raised in Palermo, and the city will hold a public wake for Schillaci at its Renzo Barbera stadium prior to the funeral.
