The Italian football community mourns the death of Salvatore “Toto” Schillaci, who lost his battle after being hospitalized in the pulmonary department of the municipal hospital of Palermo, at the age of just 59. The hero of the national team in the 1990 World Cup had been diagnosed with colon cancer two years ago and had been admitted to the hospital in serious condition in the days prior.
The love of Italian “tifosi” for the flashy striker is evident from the fact that dozens gathered immediately after the announcement of his death outside the hospital, wanting to express their emotions for the “Toto of all Italians,” as he was characterized.
On a club level, Schillaci played for Messina (1982-1989), Juventus (1989-1992), Inter (1992-1994), and Jubilo Iwata in Japan (1994-1997).
During the 1988-89 season, he was the top scorer in the Italian second division, scoring 23 goals with Messina. Upon transferring to Juventus, he had a very good first year, scoring 15 league goals and 21 in all competitions, a period that ended with Juventus winning the titles of the Coppa Italia 1989-90 and the UEFA Cup.
After Juventus, he wore the jersey of Inter, winning the UEFA Cup in 1994, but he did not have the performances expected by the “Nerazzurri” and eventually left for Japan, where he won a league title in 1997. In 1996, he hung up his boots at the age of 32.
With the national team of Italy, he played in 16 matches and broke records in the 1990 World Cup. Scoring six goals, he became the top scorer of the World Cup and won the Golden Ball. The fans of Italy will never forget his performances in the ’90 World Cup, and since then, he has taken on the status of a popular hero.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPNsIWQYomE