Italia ’90 hero Toto Schillaci (59) dies in Rome
Republic of Ireland player Ray Houghton is challenged by Salvatore Schillaci during the 1990 FIFA World Cup quarter-final at the Olympic Stadium, Rome in June 1990. Photo: Allsport/Getty Images
Italian icon Salvatore ‘Toto’ Schillaci has died aged 59 after a battle with colon cancer.
Schillaci was the face of the 1990 World Cup finals, as he finished as the tournament’s top goal scorer and ended Ireland’s campaign with the winning goal in the quarter-finals.
His passionate goal celebrations ensured Schillaci became a folk hero in Italy, with his presence in Irish sporting folklore also assured following his goal in that famous Rome quarter-final.
He played for Juventus and Inter in a glittering career spanning 384 matches, scoring 159 goals, yet his international career spanned only two years between 1990 and 1991 as he collected 16 caps.
More to follow…