Toto Schillaci, who rose to prominence in 1990 by propelling Italy to the semi-finals of the World Cup, has died. He was 59.
The Sicilian was a relative unknown outside of Italy but became a global figure with his eye-bulging celebrations that followed each of his six goals as the Azzurri reached the last four on home soil before losing to Argentina.
Schillaci was rushed to hospital with a heart problem at the weekend and his death was announced this morning.
The striker started his career with Messina, finishing as top scorer in Serie B in the 1988-89 season, a feat that earned him a move to Juventus.
Fifteen goals in 21 games in all competitions helped Juve claim the Coppa Italia and UEFA Cup in his first season in Turin and saw him named in the Italy squad for the World Cup.
He started the tournament on the bench but came on to score the winner in their opening game against Austria.
Schillaci then netted against Czechoslovakia, Uruguay and the Republic of Ireland to set up a semi-final clash with Argentina, led by Diego Maradona.
Ciao Totò
Hero of the Notte Magiche💙 pic.twitter.com/ZMoWSJBSv1— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) September 18, 2024
Schillaci netted his fifth goal of the tournament against the defending champions but Azeglio Vicini’s men exited on a penalty shoot-out.
Schillaci also netted the winner in the third/fourth play-off against England to claim the Golden Boot with six goals. He was also named the tournament’s best player.
He left Juve in 1992 to join Inter but his spell at San Siro was hampered by injury.
A prolific spell in Japan with Jubilo Iwata followed with his goals helping the club to the J.League title in 1997.
A Juve tribute read: “We immediately fell in love with Totò.
“His desire, his story, his being so wonderfully passionate, and it showed in every game he played.
“We at Juve were lucky enough to get excited about him before, in that incredible summer of 1990, the whole of Italy did, captivated by those wonderfully energetic celebrations of his.
“Because Totò arrived at Juve in 1989, and in that season he scored 15 goals in the league, four in the UEFA Cup and two in the Coppa Italia. Numbers that earned him the Azzurri shirt in the Italian World Cup, which – also thanks to him – became what we all remember as those ‘Magical Nights’.
“Top scorer in the competition and, with the national team, third, for an immense collective dream only stopped by those penalty kicks in Naples.
“His Juventus story went on for another two years, until 1992, making 132 appearances and scoring 36 goals – thirty-six of those magnificent strikes that we now watch over with a lump in our throats.
“Ciao, Totò.
“Thank you.”
