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

Italian soccer great and World Cup hero, Paolo Rossi died at the age of 64, announced the country’s national public broadcaster RAI. Rossi, who had been working as a pundit for RAI, is known for having led the Italian National Team to a World Cup victory against West Germany in 1982.

According to CNN, Rai said, “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.”

Rossi’s wife Federica Cappelletti posted a photograph with him on Instagram, captioned “Per sempre” (Italian for ‘forever’). She wrote on Facebook, “There will never again be anyone like you, as unique, as special, after you it will be complete void.’

While the cause of death has not been disclosed, Italian media reported that the footballer had an ‘incurable illness.’

Rossi won the Golden Boot at the 1982 World Cup in Spain, as top goalscorer, and the Golden Ball for the player of the tournament.

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