Italy World Cup hero Salvatore ‘Toto’ Schillaci dies, aged 59

Italy's Salvatore Schillaci celebrates scoring against Ireland in 1990  ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Legendary Italian striker Salvatore Schillaci has died.

In a glittering career Schillaci played for Juventus and Inter Milan as well as the Italian national team.

From Palermo, he began his career with Sicilian club Messina and finished with Japanese side Júbilo Iwata.

He famously scooped the Golden Boot at the 1990 World Cup, scoring six times in the tournament, breaking Irish hearts with the winner in the quarter-final in Rome.

Schillaci inspired Italy to a third-place finish in 1990, also scoring in the semi-final defeat by Argentina and in the third-place victory over England.

So sad to hear the passing of Italy’s Toto Schillaci, what a player and goal scorer. RIP #respect pic.twitter.com/EHZzZnH3Tb

— Paul McGrath (@Paulmcgrath5) September 18, 2024

Schillaci had been diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022 and had been admitted to hospital earlier this month.

Visiting Dublin Castle last year for a Italian football sticker opposition, Schillaci reflected on the lasting impact of that famous goal past Packie Bonner.

"It was 33 years ago but (I've) been visiting Ireland from time to time and always been well welcomed, notwithstanding the goal scored and what happened."

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