Italy’s 1982 World Cup hero Paolo Rossi dies, aged 64

Paolo Rossi, the Italian forward who led his country to victory in the 1982 World Cup, has died aged 64.
By Gary Flockhart
Published 10th Dec 2020, 09:19 BST
Paolo Rossi scored a hat-trick against Brazil in the 1982 World Cup.Paolo Rossi scored a hat-trick against Brazil in the 1982 World Cup.
Paolo Rossi scored a hat-trick against Brazil in the 1982 World Cup.

Enrico Varriale, a presenter at Italian TV channel RAI Sport, where Rossi had been working as a pundit, shared the news on Twitter early on Thursday morning.

He said: “Paolo Rossi left us. Unforgettable Pablito, who made us all fall in love in that summer of ’82 and who has been a precious and competent workmate at RAI in recent years. Rip dear Paolo.”

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The former Juventus and AC Milan forward was instrumental in Italy’s 1982 World Cup victory, scoring the opening goal of the 3-1 final victory over West Germany and going on to win the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer.

He also won two Serie A titles and helped Juventus claim the 1984 European Cup.

Former Germany and Bayern Munich manager Jurgen Klinsmann paid his respects on Twitter, writing: “Dear Pablito, we always remember you!”

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