- Staff
- #1
Italy's 1982 World Cup hero Paolo Rossi has died aged 64, his family says.
Rossi became a household name after leading the Azzurri to victory at the tournament in Spain, finishing as top scorer and being named best player.
At club level he first came to prominence as a prolific scorer for Vicenza, earning a move to Juventus and later playing for AC Milan.
His death was announced on Thursday, following what Italian media report had been a long illness.
His performance in the 1982 World Cup was extraordinary. The hattrick against Brazil was one of the greatest World Cup performances in one of the greatest matches. At only 64, taken from us far too early.