Gigi Riva, Italy’s all-time top goal scorer, has died aged 79.
Italian media report the legendary Italy and Cagliari striker died on Monday, January 22, 2024.
Riva, 79, had been hospitalised at the Cardiology unit at Brotzu Hospital in Cagliari on Monday after collapsing at home. The hospital released an update in the afternoon, saying Riva’s condition was ‘improving.’
Sky TG 24 reports Riva had a relapse and died on Monday evening.
The news broke seconds before the kick-off of the Supercoppa Final between Inter and Napoli in Ryiadh, so a minute of silence was not held. Surely, Serie A clubs will honour the legendary Azzurri forward in the upcoming league round.
Riva is Italy’s all-time leading scorer with 35 goals in 42 games with the Azzurri.
During Riva’s era, La Nazionale won the Euros in 1968 and reached the World Cup Final in 1970, losing to Pelé’s Brazil at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Riva’s career will be forever tied with Cagliari. Born in Leggiuno on November 7, 1944, he moved to Sardinia in 1963 and spent 14 seasons with the Rossoblu, contributing to their first and only Serie A title in 1969-70.
He is also the best scorer in the club’s history with 208 goals in 378 appearances.
After the end of his playing career, he covered roles at Cagliari and Italy. He served as Cagliari’s president in 1986-87 and had been the club’s honorary president from 2019 until his death.
He also served as Italy’s team manager from 1990 until 2013, so he was part of Marcello Lippi’s staff when the Azzurri won the 2006 World Cup.