Italy legend Paolo Rossi – the 1982 World Cup winner who won the Golden Boot and Golden Ball – dies at the age of 64
- Paolo Rossi has passed away, Italian TV channel RAI Sport announced
- The 64-year-old is most famous for his heroics at the 1982 World Cup in Spain
- He claimed the Golden Boot and Golden Ball as Italy won the tournament
- Rossi also enjoyed four years of success at Juventus and also played for AC Milan
Paolo Rossi, the star of Italy’s successful 1982 World Cup campaign, has tragically passed away at the age of 64.
The death of the former Juventus and AC Milan striker, who won the Golden Ball and Golden Boot in 1982 and made 48 caps for his country, was announced in the early hours on Thursday by Italian TV channel RAI Sport for whom Rossi had been working for as a pundit recently.
Rossi won two Serie A titles, one European Cup and the Coppa Italia during four years at Juve but it is his time for the national team which is most fondly remembered, as his six goals led Italy to victory in Spain 38 years ago.
Italian football legend Paolo Rossi (centre) has tragically passed away at the age of 64
Rossi was the goalscoring star of Italy’s successful 1982 World Cup campaign in Spain (above)
The striker spent four years at Juventus and also spent time at AC Milan and Hellas Verona
‘Such terribly sad news: Paolo Rossi has left us,’ said RAI Sport presenter Enrico Varriale.
‘Unforgettable Pablito, who made all of us fall in love in that summer of 1982 and who was a precious and competent work colleague in RAI over recent years.
‘RIP dear Paolo.’
More to follow…