Paolo Rossi, symbol of the 1982 World Cup, died

The former striker in 1982 was the top scorer in the World Cup won by Bearzot’s Azzurri and also won the Ballon d’Or. Died at 64 from an incurable disease

Terrible news in the middle of the night. That upsets the world of football, both in Italy and around the world. And the Italians all together. At the age of 64 Paolo Rossi died, defeated by an inexorable evil, the hero of the 1982 world champion Italy, the one that beat Zico’s Brazil, Maradona’s Argentina, Boniek’s Poland and in the final the Germany of Rummenigge. The Italy of Zoff and Bearzot. The main protagonist was Pablito, who came from the suspension for football betting and after a bad start to the World Cup, took off and with him the Italy of Collovati and the young Bergomi, of Tardelli who will become the man of the scream and Gentile attached shorts by Diego, Antognoni and the fantastic Bruno Conti.

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What a year, 1982 …

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In that summer of 1982, the whole of Italy took to the streets to celebrate, while President Pertini also flew to Madrid for the final, exulting in the stands alongside the King of Spain. Paolo Rossi was a center forward from the penalty area who lived for the goal. He exploded in Vicenza, moved to Perugia and then to Juventus for his best years. In the national team he was the symbol of Bearzot’s Italy and at the end of that magical ride he won the Ballon d’Or. Three goals to Brazil, two to Poland, one to Germany in the final and so Italy won the third world champion title. After Juve he went to Milan before ending his career in Verona. Together with Baggio and Vieri he holds the blue goal record at the World Championships with 9, he was the first player, then equaled by Ronaldo, to win the World Cup, the title of top scorer and the Ballon d’Or in the same year. With Juve he won two league titles, a cup of cups, a Uefa Super Cup and a Champions Cup, with Vicenza a Serie B championship in which he was the top scorer. After his career as a footballer he has long been a columnist for Mediaset and Rai. He leaves his wife, Federica, and three children: Sofia Elena, Maria Vittoria and Alessandro.

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