He was the hero of Italia ‘90, an icon of those Notti Magiche that remain in the hearts and memories of millions of Azzurri fans. The football world is mourning Salvatore ‘Totò’ Schillaci who passed away at the young age of 59. He reached the height of his career with the 1990 World Cup, becoming the top goalscorer and taking Italy all the way to the semi-finals against Argentina, lost on penalties. In remembrance, a minute’s silence will be held ahead of every league game from today until the end of the week.

President of the FIGC, Gabriele Gravina: “The unrestrainable celebration, thanks to which his face became synonymous with shared joy, will always be part of our shared Italian football heritage. Totò was a great footballer, a symbol of desire and determination, he knew how to move the Azzurri fans because his football dripped with passion. And it is this indomitable spirit that brought him to be immortal, appreciated by all”.

Born in Palermo in 1964, Schillaci began his career in Messina, picking up 219 appearances and 61 goals across six seasons, contributing to the Sicilian side’s two promotions from Serie C2 up to Serie B. Bought by Juventus is 1989, he scored 15 goals in his first season with the Bianconeri, winning the Coppa Italia and UEFA Cup and securing a call-up from Italy Head Coach, Azeglio Vicini, for the World Cup. And over the course of Italia ‘90, he became the hero that no one expected, starting on the bench and coming on in the second half of the opening game against Austria. With just 10 minutes to go at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, he got his head on a cross from Gianluca Vialli to score the winner. And that was it, he couldn’t be stopped, his goals helped bring Italy all the way to the semi-finals which they then lost to Argentina on penalties and secured him the title of the tournament’s top goalscorer (6 goals). Awarded as the best player from the World Cup, he came second for the Ballon d’Or behind Lothar Matthaus. In an Azzurri shirt, he totalled 16 appearances and 7 goals. Once he left Juventus, he played two seasons with Inter (30 appearances and 11 goals) and closed out his career in Japan with Jubilo Iwata, becoming the first Italian footballer to play in the J.League.