In Memoriam: Former Italy Striker "Salvatore (Toto) Schillaci" Dies At 59

The former Italy striker Salvatore "Toto" Schillaci, the star and Golden Boot winner for his six goals during the Italia 1990 World Cup, has died at the age of 59, his former clubs Inter Milan and Juventus said on Wednesday.

The beloved Schillaci led Italy to their third-place finish in 1990, scoring six goals during the tournament, including in the semi-final against Argentina and in their third-place victory over England. 

Born in the Sicilian city of Palermo where he was hospitalised, suffered from colon cancer, Italian media reports said. Italy's primer minister Giorgia Meloni posted: "A football icon is leaving us, a man who has entered the hearts of Italians and sports fans around the world," "Salvatore Schillaci, known by everyone as Toto, the striker from the magic nights of Italia '90 with our national team. Thanks for the emotions you gave us, for having made us dream, celebrate, embrace, and wave our national flag. Bon voyage, champion."

Schillaci, started Italy's opening World Cup game as a substitute but came off the bench to score the winner goal in a tough 1-0 victory over Austria, and then nobody stopped him scoring against Czechoslovakia, Uruguay, Ireland, Argentina and finally against England to become the top scorer at the tournament. After the excitement of 1990, Schillaci scored only one more goal for Italy and did not appear for them at any other major tournaments.

 

A small, bustling striker, Schillaci, nicknamed "Toto", had been a late developer, spending the early years of his career playing in the lower leagues for Sicilian club Messina. He was the top scorer in Serie B, the Italian second division, in 1988-89, earning him a move to Serie A giants Juventus.

 

Juventus said in a statement: "We immediately fell in love with Toto. With his desire, his story, his passion," "We at Juve were lucky enough to get excited about him before, in that incredible summer of 1990, the whole of Italy did." Schillaci helped Juventus to claim the Coppa Italia and UEFA Cup in 1989-90 before winning the latter trophy again four years later with Inter Milan.

 

In the years to come, Schillaci then became the first Italian player to play in Japan's J.League and won the league title with his club Jubilo Iwata in 1997. He retired from football in 1999.

 

The Italian Football Association's (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina said Schillaci was a symbol of will and redemption: "It is precisely this indomitable spirit that... will make him immortal," he added.