Italian football icon Toto Schillaci has died at the age of 59. The death of the 1990 World Cup golden boot winner was confirmed on Tuesday morning, just over two years after he was diagnosed with colon cancer.
Earlier this month, the former Juventus and Inter Milan striker had been admitted to hospital with atrial arrhythmia.
Schillaci has remained a cult hero in his home country for his goal scoring exploits at his home World Cup 34 years ago, and tributes have quickly poured in for the striker.
The Juventus X account posted a simple but powerful message, a picture of Schilacci in their shirt and a caption that read: “Ciao Toto.” One Inter Milan fan account also aptly recalled his Italia ’90 heroics, where he scored six times and played a pivotal role in thie country finishing third overall.
He made an entire nation dream during the Magic Nights of Italia ’90,” they said. “FC Internazionale Milano gathers around the Schillaci family for the passing of Tot0.”
The Italian Football Federation also wrote “Ciao Toto” and made their own reference to the World Cup, where Schillaci was alao awarded the Golden Ball after being deemed player of the tournament. “Hero of the Magic Nights.”
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