Tributes have poured in for World Cup legend Salvatore ‘Toto’ Schillaci, who has died aged 59.
The Italian icon, who lit up his country’s 1990 World Cup, has died after a battle with colon cancer.
He played for Juventus and Inter Milan in a glittering career, the highlight of which was scoring six goals in Italia ’90 to win the Golden Boot.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has announced that a minute’s silence will be observed across all divisions from today until the end of the week, while Inter will wear black armbands in tribute for their UEFA Champions League match against Manchester City on Wednesday.
Roberto Baggio, who played alongside Schillaci for club and country, led the tributes, writing: ‘Hello dear friend, this time too you wanted to surprise me.
Roberto Baggio (right) has led tributes to his former Juventus and Italy teammate Salvatore Schillaci (left), who has died aged 59 after a battle with colon cancer.
The honourees recalled the “magical nights” of Italia ’90, a tournament in which Schillaci won the Golden Boot and was also named player of the tournament in his own country.
Meanwhile, Juventus released a club statement: ‘Salvatore Schillaci left us today; too soon, too soon, at the age of 59’ (pictured: Schillaci on the right with Baggio)
Baggio said the “magical nights of Italia 90” will remain “forever engraved” in his heart
‘The magical nights of Italia 90 lived together will remain engraved forever in my heart. Brothers of Italy forever.’
Baggio also posted a photo with Schillaci during the 1990 World Cup.
Juventus, for whom Schillaci scored 36 goals in 132 games, wrote in a statement: ‘Salvatore Schillaci left us today; soon, too soon, at the age of 59.
‘We fell in love with Totò immediately. With his drive, his story, his passion, and that was evident in every game he played.
‘At Juve we were lucky enough to be enthusiastic about him before the whole of Italy did so in that incredible summer of 1990, delighted by his wonderfully energetic celebrations.
‘Because Totò arrived at Juve in 1989, and in that season he scored 15 goals in the League, 4 in the UEFA Cup and 2 in the Coppa Italia.
‘Numbers that, in fact, earned him the blue jersey at the World Cup in Italy, which – also thanks to him – became what we all remember as the month of the ‘Magical Nights’.
Inter Milan, who signed him from Juventus in 1992, wrote: ‘He made an entire nation dream during the Magic Nights of Italy ’90.’
Schillaci (pictured in March 2023) was diagnosed with colon cancer two years ago.
‘FC Internazionale Milano is rallying around the Schillaci family on the passing of Totò.’
Former Republic of Ireland centre-back Paul McGrath also paid tribute to Schillaci.
The Italian scored the eventual champions’ only goal in their 1990 World Cup quarter-final win over an Irish side featuring McGrath.
“Very sad to hear of the passing of Italian great Toto Schillaci, a great player and goalscorer. May he rest in peace. #Respect,” McGrath posted on social media.
Napoli said in a statement: ‘President Aurelio De Laurentiis, the board, the coaching staff, the team and the entire SSC Napoli join forces with the family of Totò Schillaci on the passing away of the hero of the Magical Nights of Italy ’90.’
Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s prime minister, said: ‘A football icon has left us, a man who entered the hearts of Italians and sports fans around the world.
‘Salvatore Schillaci, known to all as Totò, the bomber of the magical nights of Italia ’90 with our National Team. Thank you for the emotions you have given us, for making us dream, cheer, embrace and wave our Tricolor. Have a good trip, champion.’
Serie A president Lorenzo Casini said: ‘The Serie A League and all its clubs wish to express their deepest condolences to the family of Salvatore ‘Totò’ Schillaci, the entire football community and Italian football fans following his passing.
Schillaci arrived at Italia ’90 with just one international cap and left the tournament a hero
Schillaci, who was born in Palermo, scored 181 goals in 498 career appearances.
‘He was a great player, who lit up those ‘Notti Magiche’ of Italy ’90, a tournament in which he was top scorer and best player.
‘His desire to succeed at the highest level of football was constant and he will continue to be an inspiration to many children who dream of playing in Serie A.’
As reported by Sports Journal, His former Juventus coach Dino Zoff commented: “It’s a big disappointment for me. Toto was a great lad, I adored him.”
While a UEFA statement on X said: ‘A football icon has left us, a man who entered the hearts of Italians and sports fans around the world.
‘Thank you for the emotions you gave us, for making us dream, rejoice, hug each other and wave our flags. Have a good trip, champion.’