Paolo Rossi

Paolo Rossi, the hero of the Italian national team that won the 1982 World Cup in Spain in the final against Germany, has died at the age of 64 from an incurable disease, as announced by Gazzeta dello Sport.

Rossi, born on September 23, 1956, in Santa Lucia, became the great hero of the Italian national team that won the 1982 World Cup in Spain after scoring the winning goal in the final against the German team commanded by Rumennnigge.

After making his first steps in Como Calcio, he exploded as a player in Vicenza, where he achieved promotion to the first division, although it was at Juventus where he definitively stood out as a deadly forward before retiring in 1987 at Hellas Verona.

It was in the 1982 World Cup where his legend was forged, and he arrived there after having been suspended for two years accused of involvement in betting.

After a slow start in the championship, it was in the second part of the tournament where he definitively exploded. Argentina, against whom he did not score but was decisive, and Brazil, who he eliminated with three goals, were victims of his goal-scoring instinct and his assists. In the semifinals against Poland, his two goals placed Italy in the final.

The highlight of the World Cup remained. In the final against Germany, he scored the winning goal, witnessed by the then President of the Republic, Sandro Pertini, with great emotion in the box alongside King Juan Carlos.

His great performance in that World Cup was rewarded shortly after with the Ballon d'Or. EFE