One of the greatest forwards in football history, Gigi Riva, passed away yesterday at the age of 79. He is the all time leading goalscorer for the Azzurri (35 in 42 appearances). 

Roar of Thunder, as he was nicknamed by journalist Gianni Brera to underline his devastating physical power against opposition defenders, could only have a special place in the Museum in Coverciano that recounts over a century of Italian National team history. In the exhibition, in fact, is the ‘obviously’ number 11 shirt that Gigi Riva wore during the Euro qualifiers in 1968, the competition that the Azzurri would go on to win thanks to the striker’s goal in the final.

Champion of Italy with Cagliari in 1969/70, Gigi Riva was part of the Azzurri’s journey in the 1970 Mexico World Cup where they finished second to Pelè’s Brazil. And as a staff member, he won the Euros in 2006.

And to think that Riva was not even going to play in the 1968 Euros, stopped by a painful sports hernia. Head Coach Valcareggi called him up anyway, hoping he'd be able to recover in time for the final. On 8 June, the Azzurri forward didn’t play in the display against Yugoslavia but destiny intervened and the 1-1 scoreline at the end of extra time meant the final would be replayed. Two days later, Riva was in the starting XI. How was this ‘miraculous’ recovery possible? Thanks to an innovative therapy practice used by the National team medic, Fino Fini: the very same who, years later, would conceive of and found the Museum in Coverciano. Doctor Fini made Riva run, in the days before the game, with a particular posture that had his toes pointing inwards: it was this practice that meant Riva was ready to play on 10 June, heading out for the final reply of the Euros. It was also him, the Azzurri forward that opened the scoring to take Italy ahead; with his dangerous left foot, of course.