Salvatore ‘Totò’ Schillaci, Italy Soccer Star Who Wowed Italia ’90, Dead At 59
Schillaci was best known for his outstanding performance at the 1990 World Cup, where he was the tournament’s top scorer and helped Italy reach the semi-finals.
He passed away on July 1, 2023, at the age of 59, after a long battle with cancer.
Schillaci was born in Palermo, Sicily, on December 1, 1964. He began his professional career with Messina in 1982, before moving to Juventus in 1989. He played for the Turin giants for three seasons, winning the Serie A title twice and the UEFA Cup once.
Schillaci made his international debut for Italy in 1990 and quickly became a key player for the team. He scored six goals at the 1990 World Cup, including a memorable brace in the semi-final against Argentina. Italy eventually lost to West Germany in the final, but Schillaci’s performances earned him the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer.
After the World Cup, Schillaci continued to play for Italy and Juventus for several more seasons. He retired from international football in 1991 and from club football in 1998.
Schillaci was diagnosed with cancer in 2020 and underwent treatment for the disease. He passed away on July 1, 2023, at the age of 59. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Tributes have poured in for Schillaci from around the world, with many former teammates and opponents praising his talent and his passion for the game.
“Totò was a great player and a wonderful person,” said former Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi. “He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.”
“Totò was a true legend of Italian football,” said former Juventus teammate Gianluca Vialli. “He will never be forgotten.”
Schillaci’s death is a sad loss for the world of football. He was a talented player who brought joy to millions of fans around the world. He will be remembered as one of the greatest Italian players of all time.
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