Paolo Rossi, the star of Italy’s 1982 World Cup-winning team, has died at the age of 64.
The news was announced in the early hours of Thursday morning by Italian TV channel RAI Sport, for whom Rossi had been working as a pundit.
“A very sad news: Paolo Rossi left us,” RAI Sport presenter Enrico Varriale tweeted. “Unforgettable Pablito, who made us all fall in love in that summer of ‘82 and who has been a precious and competent workmate at RAI in recent years. RIP dear Paolo.”
The former Juventus and AC Milan player is widely regarded as one of the best forwards of all time.
At the 1982 World Cup he scored the opening goal in the final as Italy beat West Germany 3-1. Earlier in the tournament, he scored a hat-trick as Italy beat Brazil 3-2 to send one of the favourites out early. He won the Ballon d’Or the same year.
Rossi spent his entire career in Italy, winning Serie A twice and helping Juve to the 1984 European Cup.
Terribile lutto nel mondo del calcio: è morto Paolo Rossi #Rip Pablito
— LaGazzettadelloSport (@Gazzetta_it) December 10, 2020
Tributes began to flow on social media, with Jürgen Klinsmann among world football figures to share his condolences. “Dear Pablito, we always remember you!” he tweeted.
Shortly after the news broke, Rossi’s wife, Cappelletti Federica, posted a photo of herself and her husband to her Instagram account along with the words “per sempre” – “forever”.
More to follow.