The former Italian international Salvatore ‘Toto’ Schillacitop scorer of Italy World Cup 1990 and former Inter Milan and Juventus player, died this Wednesday at the age of 59 in Palermo (Sicily, south of the country of the boot) due to colon cancer that he had been battling for just over two years.
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The 59-year-old former Italian footballer, who won two UEFA Cups (with Juventus and Inter), had been admitted to the Pulmonology department of the Civic Hospital in the Sicilian capital since September 9. His condition worsened on Tuesday evening and he died hours later.
The Italian national team confirmed the death and said goodbye to its legendary player in a statement on social media: “Goodbye, ‘Totò’. Hero of the Magical Nights.”
Schillaciwho had to undergo two operations for cancer, worsened after the disease, which seemed to be overcome a year ago, reappeared very aggressively.
An idol in Italy 90 with legendary performances, he arrived at the tournament as a theoretical substitute. His goals placed him as the starting striker and he led, along with Roberto Baggio led the Azzurri to the semi-finals, scoring against Czechoslovakia, Uruguay, Ireland and Argentina in the semi-finals, as well as a goal against England that decided third place.
He was a partner of that Italy with Baggio, who said goodbye to him remembering those moments: “Goodbye dear friend, on this occasion too you wanted to surprise me. The magical nights of Italia 90 lived together will remain forever in my heart. Brothers of Italy forever,” he posted on Instagram.
Six goals with which he rose to the top of the scoring charts, receiving the nickname Hero of Magical Nights and the recognition as the second best player in the world, only surpassed by Lottar Matthaus in the Ballon d’Or.
After his time in Italy, where he spent three seasons at Juventus Turin (1989-1992) and another two at Inter, he went to Japan, where he played for Júbilo Iwata until 1997, when he retired.
His legendary World He left his mark on Italy. So much so that not only Inter and Juventus said goodbye to the legendary striker. Teams like Milan surrendered to his talent: “He has left us the symbol of an Italian team that bravely represented all of Italian football. We will always be proud of Totò Schillaci. Our thoughts and sympathy go out to his family.”
HAROLD YEPES
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