Paolo Rossi, star of Italy’s 1982 World Cup-winning campaign, has died at the age of 64. The news was announced in the early hours of Thursday by Italian TV channel RAI Sport. The cause of death has not been revealed.
“Such terribly sad news: Paolo Rossi has left us,” said RAI Sport presenter Enrico Varriale.
“Unforgettable Pablito, who made all of us fall in love in that summer of 1982 and who was a precious and competent work colleague in RAI over recent years.” Rossi had been working for RAI Sport as a pundit.
Rossi’s wife, Federica Cappelletti, confirmed the news as she posted a photo of herself and her husband on her Instagram page, captioning the picture, “per sempre” meaning ‘forever’.
Rossi is most widely recognised for his heroics at the 1982 World Cup in Spain and scored the opening goal in the final which Italy won 3-1 against West Germany. He also won the tournament’s Golden Boot and Golden Ball.
Rossi scored 20 goals in 48 appearances for Italy.
