Italian football legend Salvatore Toto Schillaci , the top scorer at the 1990 World Cup, is dead.
Schillaci, 59, became a household name after netting six goals in the 1990 tournament hosted by Italy, earning the prestigious Golden Boot. Though Italy fell in the semi-finals, he was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player, cementing his status as a national hero.
Diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022, Schillaci represented Italy 16 times, scoring seven goals. After beginning his career at Messina, he played for top clubs Juventus and Inter Milan.
Juventus, where Schillaci signed in 1989, paid tribute: "We immediately fell in love with Toto. His passion, his story, his unwavering desire-he showed it in every game he played. We at Juve were lucky to witness his brilliance before the entire nation fell in love with him during that unforgettable summer of 1990."
Schillacis World Cup journey began with a goal off the bench against Austria. After another substitute appearance against the U.S., he earned a starting role, teaming up with Roberto Baggio. His goal-scoring prowess continued, with key goals against Uruguay and Ireland propelling Italy through the knockout stages. Although he opened the scoring in the semi-final against Argentina, Italy ultimately lost in a penalty shootout. Schillaci secured the Golden Boot with his sixth goal in the third-place match against England.
