Paolo Rossi, who led Italy to 1982 World Cup, dies at 64

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ROME (AP) — Paolo Rossi, who led Italy to the 1982 World Cup title and later labored as a soccer commentator in his dwelling nation, has died. He was 64.

Rossi’s spouse, Federica Cappelletti, stated Thursday he died in her arms. She stated Rossi died in his sleep on the hospital after she promised him she would care for his or her kids and assuring him that he “had already performed a lot.”

“He did not need to go, however I hugged him exhausting and I instructed him, ‘Paolo, now go. Sufficient, you have suffered sufficient. Now go away this physique,'” she stated. “After which he went to sleep.”

Cappelletti spoke to reporters outdoors the La Scotta hospital in Siena, the place Rossi had been handled over the previous yr and the place relations gathered Thursday. State-run RAI tv, the place Rossi labored as a sportscaster, stated he had been recognized with an incurable sickness.

Cappelletti had introduced the loss of life on Instagram, posting an image of the couple with the caption “Per sempre,” Italian for “Endlessly.”

In a Fb put up, Cappelletti added: “There’ll by no means be one other one such as you, distinctive, particular, after you there may be absolute nothingness.”

Rossi had a exceptional profession comeback, main Italy to the World Cup title after getting back from a suspension following a betting scandal in 1980.

He scored six targets on the match in Spain, together with a hat trick in a 3-2 win over Brazil and the opening aim in a 3-1 win over West Germany within the remaining. He was additionally received the Ballon d’Or award that yr as the most effective participant in Europe.

The Italian soccer federation stated it will fly flags at half-staff in an indication of mourning.

“We have now misplaced a buddy and an icon of our soccer,” federation president Gabriele Gravina stated. “He took a complete nation by the hand, which rejoiced within the streets, for him and with him. He’s completely linked to the Azzurri and has impressed generations of forwards along with his model.”

Italian president Sergio Mattarella additionally provided his condolences for Rossi’s “untimely” passing.

“Remembering his courtesy and his humanity, I specific condolences and closeness to his household,” the Italian head of state stated in a press release.

Former teammate Stefano Collovati instructed RAI Radio 1 that he acquired the information from the telephone chat utilized by the 1982 crew members, a lot of whom expressed devastation at Rossi’s passing.

“I heard 5 minutes in the past. I am so sorry. It was out of the blue,” former teammate Dino Zoff instructed the ANSA information company. “It had been some time that we hadn’t spoken, he had stated one thing however we did not assume it was so severe.”

Rossi received two Serie A titles and a European Cup whereas taking part in for Juventus. He additionally performed for AC Milan earlier than shifting into sportscasting at Italy’s prime networks.

RAI sports activities presenter Enrico Varriale, who labored with Rossi, posted on Twitter in regards to the star ahead’s loss of life.

“Very unhappy information: Paolo Rossi left us,” Varriale wrote. “Unforgettable Pablito, who made us all fall in love in that summer time of ’82 and who has been a valuable and competent workmate at RAI lately. RIP expensive Paolo.”

In a press release, Serie A president Paolo Dal Pino stated the Italian league was in mourning.

“Paolo Rossi made us really feel proud to be Italian,” Dal Pino stated, “he was the hero of all of us.”

Cappelletti stated a memorial service was deliberate for Vincenza and that Rossi’s stays could be cremated, a call she took in settlement with their kids.

“I need to have him close to me without end,” she stated.

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This story has been corrected to indicate that Rossi received the Ballon d’Or award in 1982, not the FIFA participant of the yr.

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Extra AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports



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