There were emotional scenes in Cagliari tonight as fans and players paid tribute to club legend Gigi Riva, who took them to their only Scudetto and died this week aged 79.
He also remains the record holder of senior goals for Italy with 35 in just 42 caps.
Riva was from Leggiuno in the Lombardy region, but was effectively adopted by Cagliari at his arrival in 1963, where he remained until retirement in 1978.
There were several initiatives to remember Riva tonight ahead of the match against Torino, including video of his highlights on the screens, flags and banners.
First Gigi Riva flag spotted tonight ❤️💙#CagliariTorino pic.twitter.com/YoXobQ8Zcp
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) January 26, 2024
The Cagliari players wore a replica kit of the 1970 squad in the warm-up, then during the game the sponsors were removed and replaced with Riva’s Number 11.
The @CagliariCalcio players are out for warm-ups, wearing the iconic 1️⃣1️⃣ jersey ❤️💙#CagliariTorino pic.twitter.com/BHBZQYPkvm
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) January 26, 2024
As the team sheet was read out, the name Gigi Riva, Number 11 was added on to the end to a standing ovation.
La maglia da gioco utilizzata in gara sarà quella bianca 23/24 in una speciale versione celebrativa: in accordo con i “Jersey Partner” non vi verranno applicati i loro rispettivi loghi per lasciare spazio all’iconico 11.#CagliariTorino pic.twitter.com/MxJbe63JZb
— Cagliari Calcio (@CagliariCalcio) January 26, 2024
The 11 shirt had already been retired during his lifetime and there are already plans to name the new stadium after him.
His son Nicola was in the stands, in his usual seat, as the Riva family never left their adopted home of Sardinia.
The @CagliariCalcio team pays homage to Gigi Riva 🙏🔴🔵#CagliariTorino pic.twitter.com/Bxav5i5U7V
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) January 26, 2024
The teams walked out to the tune of the Piero Marras song, Quando Gigi Riva Tornera’.
“In the Olympus, a rumble of thunder sounds,” read a banner, referencing his nickname Rombo di Tuono.
There will also be a minute’s silence before all Serie A, B and C games this weekend.
🔴🔵 Il popolo sardo ricorda così #GigiRiva prima del fischio d'inizio di #CagliariTorino
😔 Eloquente l'immagine sul volto di Claudio #Ranieri pic.twitter.com/FRapGRfitL
— calciomercato.it (@calciomercatoit) January 26, 2024
At the 11th minute, play halted for a round of applause as Riva’s image was projected on the screens with the message: ‘Nobody will ever be like you.’
There was also a banner featuring Riva’s quote: “I know now that it was destiny. That I was going to my home.”
A tribute to a legend of the Italian game ❤️
Cagliari have a minutes applause for former striker Gigi Riva who passed away on Monday at the age of 79 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/UY1KBkKbaF
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 26, 2024