Italy’s World Cup Icon ‘Toto’ Schillaci Dies Aged 59

The former Italian striker Salvatore Toto Schillaci, known for his remarkable performance at the 1990 World Cup, died on Wednesday at age 59.

Juventus, along with other Italian football clubs, honoured Schillaci, who became an icon for his unexpected goalscoring feats at his country’s home World Cup, posting "Goodbye, Ciao Toto" on social media with a photo of him in a Juve shirt.

According to Italian news outlets, Schillaci passed away at Palermo's Civico hospital after battling bowel cancer.

Italian media report that Schillaci died at Palermo’s Civico hospital after suffering from bowel cancer.

The Italian Football Federation publicised that all matches played in Italy until the end of the upcoming weekend would adhere to a “minute of reflection” before kick-off.

FIGC Chief Gabriele Gravina said in a statement that Schillaci's goal celebrations, which symbolised collective happiness, will forever be an integral part of Italian football's legacy.

Toto Schillaci, who began his career at Messina in the early 1980s, played for Juventus and Inter Milan but had limited success at the club level.

Prior to the 1990 World Cup, Schillaci had his best club season, scoring 21 goals in all competitions and helping Juventus win the UEFA Cup and the Italian Cup.

He went from being a sought-after club striker to a national icon that summer, scoring six goals as Italy reached the semifinals of the 1990 World Cup hosted in Italy.

“At Juve we were fortunate to be inspired by him before he did the same to the whole of Italy during the amazing summer of 1990,” Juventus stated.

"Goodbye, Toto. Thank you.”