Paolo Rossi, the star of Italy‘s successful 1982 World Cup campaign, has tragically passed away at the age of 64.
The death of the former Juventus and AC Milan striker, who won the Golden Boot and Golden Ball in 1982 and made 48 caps for his country, was announced in the early hours on Thursday by Italian TV channel RAI Sport for whom Rossi had been working for as a pundit recently.
According to Italian media, he passed away after battling a long illness.
His wife Federica Cappelletti confirmed the news in the early hours of Thursday morning, posting a picture of the pair on Instagram, along with the message: ‘Forever’. She did not disclose exactly how he died.
Rossi won two Serie A titles, one European Cup and one Coppa Italia during four years at Juve but it is his time for the national team which is most fondly remembered, as his six goals led Italy to victory in Spain 38 years ago.
Rossi’s goals saw Italy to victory in the 1982 World Cup in Spain. He is pictured here celebrating scoring the first of his side’s goals in their 3-1 final win over West Germany, having bagged both in a 2-0 semi-final win over Poland
Rossi was the goalscoring star of Italy’s successful 1982 World Cup campaign in Spain (above)
Rossi’s wife, Federica Cappelletti, confirmed his death by posting an image of the pair online
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