Legendary Italian footballer Salvatore “Toto” Schillaci, widely remembered for his incredible performance at the 1990 World Cup, has passed away at the age of 59. Schillaci, who captured the hearts of football fans with his unexpected goal-scoring feats during Italy’s home World Cup, died on Wednesday after battling bowel cancer. According to reports, he passed away at the Civico hospital in Palermo.
Clubs across Italy, including Juventus, paid tribute to Schillaci. Juventus, where Schillaci spent some of his most successful years, posted a simple but heartfelt message on social media: “Ciao Toto,” accompanied by a photo of him in his iconic Juventus jersey.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced that all matches in the country over the coming weekend would observe a “minute of reflection” before kick-off to honor the legendary striker. FIGC President Gabriele Gravina praised Schillaci’s unforgettable goal celebrations, stating, “His goal celebrations, in which his face became the symbol of a collective joy, will remain forever part of Italian football heritage.”
Schillaci’s career began modestly with Messina in the early 1980s, but it was his time at Juventus and Inter Milan that solidified his place in Italian football. Despite not being a household name before the 1990 World Cup, he transformed into a national hero that summer, scoring six goals and leading Italy to the semi-finals. His contributions earned him both the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer and the Golden Ball as its best player, ahead of football legends like Lothar Matthaus and Diego Maradona.
Juventus recalled the excitement Schillaci brought to the club and the country: “At Juve, we were lucky to be excited by him before he did the same to the whole of Italy during that incredible summer of 1990.”
Schillaci’s rise to prominence during Italia 90 was nothing short of remarkable. Coming off a strong season with Juventus, where he netted 21 goals and helped the team secure both the UEFA Cup and the Italian Cup, Schillaci’s unexpected performance on the global stage made him an overnight sensation. Italy’s World Cup journey ended in heartbreak, however, as the team was eliminated by Argentina on penalties in the semi-final, with Diego Maradona leading the charge in his adopted home of Naples.
After the 1990 World Cup, Schillaci’s international career did not flourish as expected. He earned a total of 16 caps for Italy, scoring only one more goal for his national side. In 1994, Schillaci left Inter Milan and made a surprising move to Japan, where he played for Jubilo Iwata before retiring from professional football.
Despite the relatively short duration of his international career, Schillaci’s impact on Italian football remains indelible. His six goals at Italia 90 and his emotional celebrations are etched in the memories of football fans around the world, securing his place as one of Italy’s most beloved football icons.
