Luigi Riva: Italy’s record goalscorer, World Cup winner dies aged 79 - 'An extraordinary footballer'
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Published 23/01/2024 at 09:40 GMT
Italy's record goalscorer Luigi 'Gigi' Riva has passed away at the age of 79. Riva netted 35 times in 42 appearances for the Azzurri and won the 1968 European Championship with Italy. Considered one of the greatest strikers of all time, he spent the majority of his club career at Cagliari, where he helped the Islanders achieve promotion to the top-flight and land their only Serie A title in 1970.
The Italian footballer Luigi 'Gigi' Riva at Cagliari ca. 1970.
Image credit: Getty Images
Italy’s all-time leading goalscorer Luigi ‘Gigi’ Riva has passed away at the age of 79.
Riva, who is considered one of the greatest strikers of all time, suffered a heart attack over the weekend before being taken to hospital.
He scored 35 goals in 42 appearances for Italy between 1965 and 1974, helping his country to the 1968 European Championship title and the 1970 World Cup final.
Riva was later part of the technical staff for the Italian national team when the Azzurri won their fourth World Cup in 2006.
Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina said: “Italian soccer is grieving because a real and proper national hero has left us.
“Gigi Riva was the embodiment of a great man and an extraordinary footballer.
“Thanks to him we won the 1968 European Championship and the 2006 World Cup. Those who, like me, were lucky enough to know him today lose a friend.”
Nicknamed ‘Roar of Thunder’, Riva spent the majority of his club career at Cagliari, where his goalscoring prowess was renowned.
He netted 207 times for the Islanders and helped them achieve promotion to the top-flight in 1964 and then a maiden Serie A title in 1970 before retiring in 1976.
Such was his impact, Cagliari retired Riva’s No. 11 jersey in 2005.
In a post on X, Cagliari wrote: “Forever GIGI RIVA.”
A minute’s silence will be held across Italy before each match this week.
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