Legendary Italian Player Totò Schillaci Dies At 59

Former Italian football star Salvatore ‘Totò’ Schillaci, who was the top scorer of the 1990 World Cup and a key player for Inter Milan and Juventus, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 59. Schillaci died in Palermo, Sicily, after a two-year battle with colon cancer.

The Palermo native, who won two UEFA Cups with Juventus and Inter, had been in the Pulmonology Department of the Civic Hospital in Palermo since September 9th. His health worsened significantly on Tuesday night.

The Italian national team paid tribute to Schillaci on social media, saying: “Goodbye, ‘Totò.’ Hero of the Magical Nights.” This statement reflects his unforgettable role in Italian football.

Despite undergoing two surgeries for his cancer, which had seemed to be in remission a year ago, Schillaci’s illness returned with aggression.

During the 1990 World Cup, Schillaci emerged as a hero with his remarkable performances. He began as a backup but quickly became a starter due to his goal-scoring ability. Schillaci scored against Czechoslovakia, Uruguay, Ireland, and Argentina in the semifinals, and also netted a goal against England in the third-place match. His six goals made him the top scorer of the tournament, earning him the nickname “Hero of the Magical Nights” and recognition as the second-best player in the world for the Ballon d’Or, just behind Lothar Matthäus.

Following his successful stint in Italy, where he played three seasons with Juventus (1989-1992) and two seasons with Inter, Schillaci moved to Japan. He played for Júbilo Iwata until his retirement in 1997.

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