The river of tears and memories is flowing freely. Italy has lost a timeless legend with the death of Gigi Riva, a true gentleman as well as an extraordinary footballer. Italy Head Coach, Luciano Spalletti, who was in Riyadh for the Supercoppa Italiana final between Inter and Napoli, expressed his sympathy for Riva’s passing: “Seeing his teammates rejoice when he was a player and the lads when he was a staff member were the real moments of triumph for him. The highest compliment he accepted about himself was seeing happiness in others. Gigi Riva always worked with the benefit of others in mind before his own. He was a silent and discreet superhero. There couldn’t have been a better nickname for such a reserved person: ‘Roar of Thunder’! Because his football and moral strength spoke a thousand words”. 

BUFFON. From the Head Coach to the Head of the Delegation. Gigi and Gigi were together that night in Berlin, that night in 2006 that brought Buffon the World Cup title that Riva came close to in 1970, after being crowned Champion of Europe two years earlier. If Riva holds the record for all-time leading goalscorer for Italy (35), Buffon is top for number of appearances (176).

Buffon’s words: “An unexpected and hard blow. Strong like his presence, always, in every moment, there to support anyone who needed it. Today, a legend of Italian football leaves us, a friend and a great person with profound substance”.

Buffon said goodbye to Riva with a post on his social media profiles: “You were one of the best players in Italy and a giant off the pitch. You offered me guidance and were a cornerstone for me in the Azzurri. We shared difficult moments, defeats, and the most beautiful victory. Keep up the advice from up there. Goodbye, Roar of Thunder!”.