Clubs, friends and former colleagues of the legendary former Italy striker Salvatore ‘Totò’ Schillaci have begun paying their respects following the news of his passing on Wednesday morning.
Schillaci has died at the age of 59 following a two-year battle with colon cancer.
Schillaci tributes from Juventus, Inter, Italy and Baggio
The Azzurri legend spent three years in Turin with Juventus, where he scored 26 Serie A goals from 90 outings.
“We immediately fell in love with Totò. His desire, his story, his being so wonderfully passionate, and it showed in every game he played,” the club wrote in a statement.
“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.
Ciao Totò pic.twitter.com/8POAyN3EO5
— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) September 18, 2024
Schillaci ended his Serie A career with Inter, turning out in San Siro for two seasons between 1992 and 1994.
“He made an entire nation dream with the magic nights of Italia 90. FC Internazionale Milano stands with the Schillaci family after Totò’s passing,” the Nerazzurri wrote on X.
Ha fatto sognare una nazione intera durante le Notti Magiche di Italia ‘90 🇮🇹💙
FC Internazionale Milano si stringe intorno alla famiglia Schillaci per la scomparsa di Totò.#FCIM pic.twitter.com/PtxE7zWHod
— Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter) September 18, 2024
He was best known, of course, for his performances in the Azzurri shirt, particularly at the 1990 World Cup.
“Goodbye, Totò. Heroe of those magic nights,” were the words the national team social media accounts.
Ciao Totò 💙
Eroe delle Notti Magiche pic.twitter.com/UQmGw2ws6p— Nazionale Italiana ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri) September 18, 2024
Lega Serie A President Lorenzo Casini labelled him “a champion who lit up the magical nights of the 1990 World Cup in Italy, also winning the titles of top scorer and best player of the competition.
“His desire to 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.”
La Lega Serie A e tutti i suoi Club si stringono ai familiari e all’intera comunità calcistica e dei tifosi italiani per la scomparsa di Salvatore “Totò” Schillaci.
“Schillaci” – ha dichiarato il Presidente di Lega Serie A Lorenzo Casini – è stato un campione che ha illuminato le… pic.twitter.com/F5iujLqZSq— Lega Serie A (@SerieA) September 18, 2024
Baggio’s former Italy striker partner, Roberto Baggio, also gave a touching tribute on his social media accounts.
“Goodbye my dear friend, looks like you wanted to give me a surprise this time too,” Baggio wrote in a tribute on Instagram.
“The magic nights we lived together at Italia 90 will remain engraved in my heart forever. Brothers of Italy forever.”
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RIP Toto! Your an Italian football legend! God Bless!
RIP Toto, you made use dream, you made us cheer. Sei uno vera leggenda degli azzurri!