Salvatore Schillaci, former World Cup Golden Boot winner, dies aged 59

Former Italy and Juventus forward Salvatore Schillaci has died at the age of 59.

Schillaci, more commonly known as ‘Toto’, won the Golden Boot award for most goals at the 1990 World Cup, which Italy hosted.

His death was confirmed in a short statement from the Palermo hospital where he was being treated for cancer.

Italy Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called Schillaci “a football icon” who “entered the hearts of Italians and sports lovers around the world”.

She added: “Thank you for the emotions you gave us, for making us dream, cheer, hug and wave our Tricolore. Have a good trip, champion.”

Schillaci became a cult hero for Italy in their home World Cup, scoring goals against Argentina in the semi-final and England in the third-place match.

At club level, the Sicily-born striker signed for Juventus in 1989 and went on to win the Coppa Italia and Europa League with the Turin club.

Juventus said: “We at Juve were lucky enough to get excited about him before, in that incredible summer of 1990, the whole of Italy did, captivated by those wonderfully energetic celebrations of his.”

Serie A President Lorenzo Casini said: “(We) would like to extend their deepest condolences to the family of Salvatore ‘Totò’ Schillaci, the entire football community and Italian football fans upon his passing.”

He added: “His desire to make it at the top level in football was constant and he will continue to be an inspiration for the many children who dream of playing in Serie A.”

A combination of injuries and a loss of form meant Schillaci scored only one more goal for his country after his World Cup heroics.

He was dropped during Italy’s unsuccessful qualifying campaign for the 1992 European Championship and never represented his country again.

Schillaci enjoyed spells at Messina, Juventus and Inter Milan during a 15-year club career.

(DANIEL GARCIA/AFP via Getty Images)