Totò Schillaci has died. The former footballer, unforgettable hero of the Magic Nights of the 1990 World Cup in Italy, had been suffering from colon cancer for some time and had already undergone two operations . He was 59 years old.
A striker for the national team, Juve and Inter, he had been hospitalized in the pneumology department of the Civico hospital in Palermo since September 7. His conditions, which seemed to be improving in recent days, suddenly worsened.
Schillaci had taken his first steps in Messina: from the dusty clay fields of his Sicily he had arrived with a series of goals to tread the playing fields of the most prestigious stadiums in the world. One of the most moving farewells could only be from Roberto Baggio , who formed an attacking partnership with him at the 1990 World Cup and also at Juventus: «Ciao mio tesoro amico, questo ora ho visto che mi voluto sorpresa. The magical nights of Italia 90 lived together will remain forever etched in my heart. Brothers of Italy forever ».
The FIGC has ordered a minute of silence before the matches of all the championships scheduled from today until the end of the weekend: "The uncontrollable celebrations, in which his face was a symbol of shared joy, will forever remain a common heritage of Italian football - recalls the president Gabriele Gravina -. Totò was a great footballer, a tenacious symbol of will and redemption, he was able to thrill the Azzurri fans because his football tasted of passion. And it is precisely this indomitable spirit that made him appreciated by everyone and will make him immortal".
"The city mourns the loss of the most representative Palermo footballer in history at a world level - said Mayor Roberto Lagalla - A popularity that, however, has never changed Schillaci, who has always maintained a kind, humble and available soul. For Italy, Schillaci's eyes and goals represented the symbol of the magical nights of the 1990 World Cup, but for Palermo they meant much more, the example of redemption of a son of this city that was going through difficult years. For these reasons and in agreement with the family, the municipal administration, to pay a fitting tribute to Schillaci, wanted to make the Barbera Stadium available for the preparation of the funeral chapel and I thank the Palermo Football Club for the availability and spirit of collaboration demonstrated. To the family of Totò Schillaci I extend my condolences and my closeness in this moment of deep sorrow".
" A football icon leaves us, a man who entered the hearts of Italians and sports lovers around the world ," Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote on social media. "Salvatore Schillaci, known to all as Totò, the bomber of the magical nights of Italia '90 with our national team. Thank you for the emotions you gave us, for making us dream, cheer, hug and wave our Tricolore. Have a good trip, champion ."
Palermo Calcio is among the first clubs to join the family. Among the rosanero, moreover, plays Francesco Di Mariano, nephew of Totò Schillaci, son of his sister. Schillaci never played for the rosanero, but supported the team of the city where he was born. "Palermo FC, with the president Dario Mirri and the entire City Football Group family - reads the official press release of the Viale del Fante club - expresses its deepest condolences for the premature passing of Salvatore Schillaci and joins in the pain of the family of Francesco Di Mariano. Absolute protagonist of the Magic Nights of Italia '90, Totò wrote indelible pages of the history of football with his goals, giving pure joy to Palermitans all over the world ".
Schillaci was married twice and leaves behind three children.
(Unioneonline/D)
