From the world of politics to that of sport, an avalanche of messages of condolence followed the news of Gigi Riva’s death within a few minutes.
“Many Italians, and I among them, learn the sudden news of Gigi Riva’s death with genuine sorrow”. Sergio Mattarella he embodies the feeling of all Italians, and recalls “roll of thunder” with the shock of those who loved and admired him. Because the sudden farewell of the Italian champion surprised everyone: the news of his hospitalization had caused concern but there was optimism about an improvement in his condition. The President of the Republic honored “his sporting successes, his very serious character, the dignity of his behavior in all circumstances, which earned him the affection of millions of Italians even among those who did not follow football”.
“A great sportsman who marked the history of football and our national team leaves us. May the earth be light on you, champion”, says the prime minister Giorgia Melonipublishing a photo of Riva.
“Much more than a thunderclap, we mourn the man, the professional. He represented a football of other times”, said the minister for sport and youth, Andrea Abodi.
“Gigi Riva leaves us. Hero of many kids of my generation. Best scorer of the Italian national team. Condolences to his family and to all the Sardinian fans. Safe travels in heaven, rumble of thunder”. The deputy prime minister and foreign minister wrote it on Antonio Tajani.
“A football giant. A symbol, a flag, a great man”, writes the President of the Senate Ignazio La Russa.
“One of the best Italian footballers of all time, we will miss you”, says the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry Francesco Lollobrigida
“Gigi Riva, Thunderclap. Hero of Cagliari and the national team. May the earth be light on you”, he writes on Matteo Renzi. “How sad. He leaves us an absolute legend. The person and the footballer”, he writes Enrico Letta his X.
Zoff: “Infinite sadness, I lose a great friend”
“I feel infinite sadness, it’s a big loss, for me also of a great friend. Many things connect me to Gigi, we did military service together, then we won the European Championships in 1968 and we continued with the other national teams until 2000 when I was the coach and he was manager. We had a great relationship, it was impossible not to be friends with him.” It’s a Dino Zoff I was moved by the person who, on the phone with ANSA, commented on Riva’s passing. “For me he was truly a friend – says the former Italian goalkeeper -. He, like me, wasn’t very open but he was clear and you always knew who you were dealing with. He was an exquisite person”.
“He will be greatly missed by football,” said the President of the Serie A League Lorenzo Casini.
Cannavaro: “He was the myth of myths”
Fabio Cannavaro he can’t hold back his tears in front of the Mediaset cameras as he remembers Gigi Riva, “myth of myths”. “I always told him that he was the myth of myths. He passed on so many values to us. Many will certainly remember him because, beyond being a footballer, he was a special person”, said the 2006 world champion
Infantino, ‘with Rumbo di Tuono now the sky trembles’
“Now, even the sky is shaking. The best scorer in the history of the Italian men’s national team has left us. A timeless champion. He was a hard man, yet very good. His unassailable values were an example for generations of footballers, in particular those who won the World Cup in 2006, whom he accompanied in the role of manager. From today the history of football is a puzzle without one of its best pieces. Have a good trip, beloved Gigi Riva.” Thus, via social media and adding the emoticons of a blue heart and praying hands, the president of FIFA Gianni Infantino remembers Gigi Riva.
Enrico Albertosi: “I lost a brother”
“I lose a brother, we spent many years together, we slept together with Cagliari and the national team, I lose a person who was important to me. Even today we spoke on the phone and I heard him well, I didn’t know he had heart problems” . From the microphones of Sky Sport, Enrico Albertosi who with Gigi Riva won the Cagliari scudetto and shared the experience of Mexico ’70 is reminiscent of the myth of football.
Boninsegna: “Beautiful years in Cagliari, we will always be friends”
“When I arrived in Cagliari he was there and I slept with him in the room together. They were wonderful years, because that was a Cagliari that was being born. Not having a car, we lived together. Breakfast, lunch, dinners: everything. He ran around me everywhere. We were friends and still were even if we felt less like each other,” he said Roberto Boninsegna. “Then when there was a choice, he rejected Juventus, but I accepted Inter because I was a fan as a child. For him, Sardinia was everything”, he concluded.
The memory of Giancarlo De Sisti: “It was lucky to play with him, he was a Greek god”
The voice betrays the emotion and pain for the loss of a friend, even before a teammate. Giancarlo De Sisti, on the phone with ANSA, recalls Gigi Riva, “this sort of Greek god who for many of us, not just for the kids of the time, was a myth”. “It’s difficult to comment. I was lucky enough to play together with Gigi, to admire him up close. He was a player who gave you an advantage, a respectable boy who spoke little… lots of facts and few words”.
Gravina: “He leaves us a national monument”. Malagò: “Orphans of a myth”
“I am shocked and deeply saddened” by the death of Gigi Riva. “Italian football is in mourning because a true national monument has left us.” The president of the FIGC states this, Gabriele Gravina.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of an extraordinary man, an incredible champion on the pitch and a champion of exceptional charisma as a manager, an example of class and ability who gave voice to the sense of belonging for his country”, recalls Giovanni Malagò, president of Coni. “I remember with emotion the moment of the delivery of the Golden Collar, the highest honor of our movement, on the pitch, among the infinite applause of its people, of those people who have always honored it. We remain orphans of a myth that made us proud of being Italian”.
Buffon: “A giant for me, a guide and point of reference”
“You were among the greatest footballers of our Italy and a giant far from the playing fields. You offered me guidance and a point of reference in blue and we shared the difficult moments, the defeats, as well as the most beautiful victory. Continue to give me your advice even from up there. Hello Rumble of Thunder!”. So, on Instagram, Gigi Buffongoalkeeper of the national team of which Gigi Riva was manager, remembers the great champion.
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2024-01-23 07:44:00
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