Just two weeks after the death of Argentina football legend Diego Maradona, winner of the 1986 World Cup another football legend passed away on Thursday.
Italy's top-scorer in the 1982 FIFA World Cup, Paolo Rossi passed away at the age of 64. Italian TV channel RAI Sport, announced the news of his demise on Thursday.
"A very sad news: Paolo Rossi left us," RAI Sport presenter Enrico Varriale tweeted. "Unforgettable Pablito, who made us all fall in love in that summer of '82 and who has been a precious and competent workmate at RAI in recent years. RIP dear Paolo." Rossi's wife, Cappelletti Federica, posted a photo of herself and her husband to her Instagram account along with the words "per sempre" (meaning: forever). She, however, did not informed the cause of his death.
Rossi, was regarded as one of the best forwards of all time. He is known for his heroics at the 1982 World Cup in Spain. He hit six goals to win the Golden Boot as top goal-scorer,and the Golden Ball for the player at the tournament.
The forward is one of only three players to win all three awards at a World Cup, along with Garrincha in 1962 and Mario Kempes in 1978. He was also awarded the 1982 Ballon d'Or as the European Footballer of the Year for his performances. Rossi scored 20 goals in 48 for his national side.
At club level, Rossi was also a prolific goal-scorer for Vicenza. He was signed to Juventus in 1976 from Vicenza. The club retained his services and he was top goalscorer in Serie B in 1977, leading his team to promotion to Serie A.
In 1981, Rossi made his debut for Juventus and went on to win two Serie A titles, the Coppa Italia, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and the European Cup.
