Italian World Cup striker ‘Toto’ Schillaci dies aged 59
Italy's Salvatore "Totò" Schillaci has died at age 59. Photo: Getty
Former Italy and Juventus striker Salvatore Schillaci, a star of the 1990 World Cup on his home soil, has died at the age of 59, his former club Inter Milan said on Wednesday.
Schillaci led Italy to its third-place finish in 1990, winning the Golden Boot for his six goals during the tournament, including in the semi-final against Argentina and in their third-place victory over England.
The Sicilian’s wide eyes as he celebrated his goals became one of the enduring images of that World Cup.
Schillaci was awarded the Golden Ball as player of the tournament and was later named as the runner-up for the 1990 Ballon d’Or men’s player of the year award, behind World Cup-winning captain Lothar Matthaus of West Germany.
Tragic news. Toto Schillaci has passed way age 59.
Heartbreaking. An icon. Sending his family much love at this difficult time.
RIP idolo. pic.twitter.com/abjOX0H3en
— Italian Football News 🇮🇹 (@footitalia1) September 18, 2024
He had started Italy’s opening World Cup game as a substitute but came off the bench to score the winner in a 1-0 victory over Austria.
After the excitement of 1990, Schillaci scored only one more goal for Italy and did not appear 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.
So sad to hear about the passing of Toto Schillaci.
The man who grabbed his chance with two hands at Italia ‘90, along with the Golden Boot.
RIP ❤️pic.twitter.com/p7Jz0KNuBc
— Stu’s Football Flashbacks (@stusfootyflash) September 18, 2024
He was the top scorer in Serie B, the Italian second division, in 1988-89, earning him a move to Serie A giants Juventus.
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.
He 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.
-Reuters
