Former Italian striker Salvatore « Toto » Schillaci, the top scorer of the 1990 World Cup, passed away this Wednesday at the age of 59 after a long battle with illness, according to the Italian Football Federation.
The federation’s statement read: « Toto Schillaci, the iconic player of the 1990 World Cup in Italy, passed away at the age of 59. » A minute of silence will be observed before all matches in Italy from Wednesday to Sunday.
Juventus, the club where Schillaci made his mark, was among the first to pay tribute, posting a photo of the striker with the caption « Goodbye Toto. » Schillaci became a national and international football icon after his stellar performance in the 1990 World Cup.
An Italian media report revealed that Schillaci passed away in a Palermo hospital after battling colon cancer.
Inter Milan, where Schillaci played between 1992 and 1994, also mourned his death, stating: « He made the entire country dream during the magical nights of the 1990 World Cup. Inter stands with Toto’s family after his passing. »
Schillaci played for Juventus from 1989 to 1992, winning the UEFA Cup in 1990, before joining Inter. He finished his career in Japan with Jubilo Iwata in 1997.
He became a national hero in 1990 with six World Cup goals, leading Italy to the semifinals, where they lost to Argentina in a penalty shootout.
Schillaci retired from international football in 1991 after 16 caps and seven goals for Italy. After retirement, he returned to Sicily and opened a football school in Palermo.
