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Paolo Rossi, Italy’s football hero, dies at the age of 64.
When the football world was already recovering from the mourning of Argentina icon Diego Maradona, who passed away last month. Here comes another sad news for the community. Paolo Rossi won two Serie A titles, recipient of a European Cup and a Coppa Italia with Juventus. But he is massively known and remembered for his six goals in the 1982 Spain World Cup.
It was the Italian TV channel RAI Sport that gave this saddening news to the world. They said on Thursday that “Pablito” has passed away because of an "incurable disease". Rossi was known to be working as a pundit for this channel after retiring from football.
He was born in Prato, Tuscany, and played his entire football club year in Itlay. During his entire career, he was banned once in 1980 for three years. His achievements and contributions to football will be remembered. He also scored three goals in the 1978 Argentina World Cup. He remains the Itlay’s joint-highest scored with a total of nine goals in the World Cup.
His wife, Federica Cappaelletti, posted on Instagram, saying “per sempre” meaning “Forever”.
A post shared by Federica Cappelletti (@cappellettifederica)
Many known names in the football world paid their tributes through social media while fans express their grief too of losing a legend in the football world. Here are some collated.
My first football memories. Sleeping at Nonno’s house to watch the 1982 World Cup. #PaoloRossi pic.twitter.com/2xZFNOzg6V
— Michael Zappone (@Michael_Zappone) December 10, 2020
RIP Pablito, architect of the greatest summer of my young life. A couple of days after the 1982 final a shoe company in his hometown of Prato - just a few miles from Florence - said they would give him free shoes for the rest of his life. I hope they kept their word. #PaoloRossi pic.twitter.com/YGpufozvSa
— Fionn Davenport (@fionndavenport) December 10, 2020
2020 seems like was written in the destiny of #PaoloRossi
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) December 10, 2020
No doubt his shirts number is most famous ever in history of Italy pic.twitter.com/WzUJ4viNJw
The beauty of this hat trick was not just in how it inspired Italy to their 1982 World Cup win, but also that it came against what many consider the single greatest World Cup side EVER. #PaoloRossi
— Debayan Sen (@debayansen) December 10, 2020
pic.twitter.com/SOAhJY49fG
The story of the World Cup 1982 #Shoot! 1994-06-18 #PaoloRossi pic.twitter.com/Hx8YUpNrwi
— Scottish Footy Cards (@ScotsFootyCards) December 10, 2020
Remember nervousness pre '82 game against Brazil. Zico, Eder, Falcao, Socrates, Junior! Knew it would be tough. Predicted 3-2 Italy win (Rossi hat-trick; Falcao brace). Best I dared hope for. He made it reality and led Italy to '82 WC. My best soccer memory. Grazie #PaoloRossi pic.twitter.com/vroZKEMgFq
— S Vireswer (@SVireswer) December 10, 2020
RIP Campione #PaoloRossi pic.twitter.com/uKXOHSrl2V
— Chris Divo (@DivoChris) December 10, 2020
#PaoloRossi
— hyejeong kim (@hyejeongkim0730) December 10, 2020
Rest in peace.🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/UpCyonXhvT
Grazie Sinyor #PaoloRossi
— 🇷🇸 ko☭koR©uk 🇧🇦 (@kskrckBG) December 10, 2020
Adio 😢🇮🇹🏆⚽ pic.twitter.com/QSbxbbstGf
Such sad news. RIP #PaoloRossi
— Irish Football Pics (@irish_pics) December 10, 2020
1982 Ballon d'Or, Golden Ball, Golden Boot and World Cup winner.
Pictured with Juventus teammate Liam Brady pic.twitter.com/JbhDHRld53
Such players made us love the game ⚽️
— Wael Akram Chehayeb (@ChehayebWael) December 10, 2020
Another Legend leaves in 2020 #PaoloRossi RIP
🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/mEVJm8haoW
Ian Wright on Instagram #PaoloRossi pic.twitter.com/kiCNW7MXlw
— KN (@KN1897) December 10, 2020
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