Italy soccer star Toto Schillaci who broke Irish hearts at Italia 90 dies at 59
The Sicily-born forward became the star of Italy's home World Cup in 1990
Salvatore ‘Toto’ Schillaci, the breakthrough star of Italy’s home World Cup in 1990, has died aged 59.
The death of the former Messina, Juventus and Inter Milan forward, who was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022, was confirmed on Wednesday morning by the Italian football federation.
Schillaci’s domestic form for Juve in the 1989-90 season earned him a place in Italy’s squad for the 1990 finals, even though he started the tournament with just one cap to his name.
However, he finished as the tournament’s top goalscorer with six, as the hosts made it through to the semi-final before losing on penalties to Argentina.
The Sicily-born forward began his professional career with island club Messina before moving to Juve in the summer of 1989.
Paul McGrath, who played against Schillaci in that 1990 World Cup, said today: "So sad to hear the passing of Italy’s Toto Schillaci, what a player and goal scorer. RIP."