Former Italy soccer star Salvatore āTotoā Schillaci has died at the age of 59, according to a statement from the Palermo hospital where he was being treated for colon cancer. Palermo Civico Hospital announced in a statement that Schillaci passed away on the morning of September 18, 11 days after being admitted.
Ha fatto sognare una nazione intera durante le Notti Magiche di Italia ā90 š®š¹šFC Internazionale Milano si stringe intorno alla famiglia Schillaci per la scomparsa di TotĆ².#FCIM pic.twitter.com/PtxE7zWHod
ā Inter āā (@Inter) September 18, 2024
Schillaci, who played forward, gained international fame during the 1990 World Cup, held in Italy. He was the star of the tournament for the Azzurri, scoring six goals and winning the golden boot as the top scorer. Though Italy finished third, Schillaciās standout performances earned him the golden ball as the tournamentās best player, ahead of football legends Lothar MatthƤus and Diego Maradona.
Schillaci was born in Palermo, Italy. He played at the club level for other Italian clubs, he is most remembered for his time with Juventus and Inter Milan.
Schillaci won both the UEFA Cup and Coppa Italia during his time with Juventus, later adding another UEFA Cup title with Inter Milan.
Il Palermo FC, con il presidente Dario Mirri e tutta la famiglia City Football Group, esprime il proprio grande cordoglio per la prematura scomparsa di Salvatore Schillaci e si stringe al dolore della famiglia di Francesco Di Mariano. pic.twitter.com/ibH5QKuXYN
ā Palermo F.C. (@Palermofficial) September 18, 2024
Before his breakout in the 1990 World Cup, Schillaci had a relatively modest club career, playing for teams such as Messina and Juventus. Though his career at the international level was short-lived, with only 16 appearances and 7 goals for Italy, his impact during the World Cup cemented his legacy in football history.
He concluded his playing career in Japan, where he won a J-League title with JĆŗbilo Iwata in 1997.
Ci lascia unāicona del calcio, un uomo entrato nel cuore degli italiani e degli amanti dello sport nel mondo. Salvatore Schillaci, per tutti TotĆ², il bomber delle notti magiche di Italia ā90 con la nostra Nazionale. Grazie per le emozioni che ci hai regalato, per averci fattoā¦ pic.twitter.com/3CWIACgAth
ā Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) September 18, 2024
In 2022, Schillaci was diagnosed with colon cancer.
Schillaciās unforgettable run in the 1990 World Cup left a lasting mark on Italian football and endeared him to fans across the world. His passing marks the loss of a football icon who will be remembered for his passion, skill, and ability to rise to the occasion when his country needed him most.
Rest In Peace.