2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Richard Garnett)
Salvatore 'Toto' Schillaci was a virtual unknown before the 1990 World Cup but became a global superstar after scoring six goals to win the Golden Boot and Golden Ball Italian football has lost one of its most iconic figures, as Salvatore 'Toto' Schillaci, the unexpected hero of the 1990 World Cup , has died at the age of 59. Before the tournament, Schillaci was relatively unknown outside of Italy, but he quickly became a national treasure after scoring six goals to claim the Golden Boot. He also won the Golden Ball for best player as Italy made it to the semi-finals, only to be defeated by Diego Maradona's Argentina.
Despite opening the scoring in Naples, Italy were eventually beaten on penalties after Claudio Canniggia equalised in the second half. However, the Juventus striker's overnight rise to global fame saw him finish second in the 1990 Ballon d'Or, behind only Germany's World Cup -winning captain Lothar Matthaus. Born in Palermo, Schillaci captured the hearts of fans with his energetic performances and passionate goal celebrations.
Despite only earning 16 caps for Italy and scoring seven goals, his impact was significant. He started Italy's first group stage match as a substitute, coming off the bench to score the winning goal against Austria. He repeated this feat in their second match against the USA, before starting alongside Roberto Baggio in the final group game against Czechoslovakia, where he found the back of the net once again.
Schillaci's dynamic duo role with Baggio during the world stage took football fans by storm, as he became a global sensation with defining goals in the crucial knockout moments against Uruguay and Ireland. However, Italy's dreams were curtailed in the semi-finals, leading to a tension-filled face-off with England where Schillaci's late penalty clinched third place for Italy in the 1990 World Cup . Juventus fondly recalled their affinity for Schillaci in a statement: "We immediately fell in love with Toto.
His desire, his story, his being so wonderfully passionate, and it showed in every game he played." They further expressed their pride, saying, "We at Juve were lucky enough to get excited about him before - in that incredible summer of 1990 - the whole of Italy did, captivated by those wonderfully energetic celebrations of his." Additionally, the Serie A gave their own tribute, depicting Schillaci as: "A champion who lit up the magical nights of the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
" In praise of his ambition, they added, "His desire to emerge and reach the highest levels of football has been and will continue to be a source of inspiration for the many young people who chase the dream of playing in Serie A." Starting his trajectory at Messina with impressive stats, Schillaci soared to fame at Juventus before having a stint with Inter Milan, accumulating less impact across 30 games. His career twilight was spent with Japan's Jubilo Iwata, bringing down the curtains on a memorable football journey.
"We immediately fell in love with Toto. His desire, his story, his being so wonderfully passionate, and it showed in every game he played." "We at Juve were lucky enough to get excited about him before - in that incredible summer of 1990 - the whole of Italy did, captivated by those wonderfully energetic celebrations of his.
" "A champion who lit up the magical nights of the 1990 World Cup in Italy." "His desire to emerge and reach the highest levels of football has been and will continue to be a source of inspiration for the many young people who chase the dream of playing in Serie A.".
