Salvatore "Totò" Schillaci was the face of the Italian home World Cup in 1990. © ANSA / Maniaci/Ansa / RED

Italy's football icon Schillaci is dead

Salvatore “Totò” Schillaci is dead. The former Juventus and Inter striker, who also left his mark on the national team, died on Wednesday at the age of 59.

September 18, 2024

From: cst

Italian football is one icon poorer. Totò Schillaci died on Wednesday from the effects of cancer – at just 59 years old. The Sicilian leaves behind 3 children and a wife from his second marriage.

Schillaci made the jump from the Sicilian club Messina to Juventus in 1989. The striker had his breakthrough with the Turin team. The 1990 World Cup in Italy was a great Schillaci show. Although he and the Squadra Azzurra lost to Argentina in the semi-finals on penalties, the home World Cup made Schillaci an icon in Italy. With 6 goals, he was crowned the tournament's top scorer. In the vote for the Golden Ball that same year, he came second behind Lothar Matthäus.

Schillaci scores against England at the 1990 World Cup. © ANSA / ANSA / XX

In 1992, Schillaci moved to Inter, where things did not go as planned. Finally, in 1994, the attacker went to Japan, where he finished his career until 1997. After his professional football career, Schillaci acted in several TV series.