By David Awopetu
The star of Italy’s victorious 1982 World Cup campaign, Paolo Rossi, has died at the age of 64.
His death was announced on Thursday, following what Italian media report had been a long illness.
Rossi became a household name after leading the Azzurri to victory at the tournament in Spain, finishing as top scorer and being named best player.
At club level, he first came to prominence as a prolific scorer for Vicenza, earning a move to Juventus and later playing for AC Milan.
Rossi won two Serie A titles, a European Cup and a Coppa Italia during his playing career but will be most fondly remembered for his six goals at the 1982 World Cup in Spain – where his exploits earned him the endearing nickname “Pablito”.
After failing to score in the opening four games of the tournament, Rossi netted a hat-trick in Italy’s iconic 3-2 win over Brazil in the second group stage, a match considered one of the greatest in World Cup history.
Italy topped a group containing the Brazilians as well as Diego Armando Maradona’s Argentina and progressed to the semi-finals, where Rossi scored two more goals in a 2-0 win over Poland.
The former Juventus and AC Milan striker opened the scoring in the final too as Italy beat West Germany 3-1 to claim their third World Cup – and their first since 1938.
He was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 1982, becoming only the third Italian to win the award at the time.
Born in Prato, Tuscany, Rossi played his entire club career in Italy.
