A year ago, Gigi Riva passed away, the footballer who scored the most goals in the history of the national team (35), the driving force and top scorer of Cagliari in the 1970 championship. To celebrate the anniversary, there will be no special event, as requested by the family, but a simple mass to remember Rombo di Tuono tomorrow at 6 pm at the Basilica di Bonaria in Cagliari, the scene twelve months ago of the last farewell to the striker from Leggiuno, who passed away on 22 January in hospital after feeling unwell at home in the previous days.
A ceremony as he would have wanted it: sober, without fuss . In some ways a tribute to Riva's lifestyle and way of being, always reluctant to be too much in the spotlight or at the center of attention. Especially on occasions of celebrations that are too formal or with too many personalities. A mass without special invitations: no football stars or big names in politics are expected to participate. Only family, friends, old teammates. And of course the whole city.
It is easy to imagine that the church will soon fill up: many fans and admirers will probably remain in the churchyard. There will be a delegation from Cagliari Calcio: President Tommaso Giulini attended the post-match press conference on Sunday afternoon also to remember Riva . A memory that does not fade: even during the match against Lecce, in the eleventh minute, 11 like the number on his shirt, a long round of applause broke out from the stands. Then the chorus: «There is only one Gigi Riva».
(Unioneonline).