Former Italy striker Salvatore "Toto" Schillaci has passed away at the age of 59. Schillaci, who rose to global fame as the top scorer of the 1990 World Cup with six goals, became a national hero despite Italy's semi-final exit. He was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.

Schillaci was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022 and had been hospitalized in Palermo last week. His death was announced on Wednesday morning.

Juventus, the club Schillaci joined in 1989, paid tribute, saying: "We immediately fell in love with Toto. His passion, his story, and his relentless energy were evident in every game he played. We at Juve were fortunate to witness his brilliance before the whole of Italy did, during that unforgettable summer of 1990, as he captivated the nation with his iconic celebrations."