Italy legend Paulo Rossi is believed to have died last night at the age of 64, as confirmed by his close friend Enrico Varriale.
The former striker will mostly be remembered for his amazing performance at the 1982 World Cup, where he fired Italy to become World Champions.
Rossi started the competition slowly, as his side limped out of the group stages into the knockout rounds, but everything came together perfectly against then-current World champions Argentina, with Diego Maradona kept quiet.
Rossi then played a starring role in eliminating Brazil in the next round, where his hat-trick was enough to secure a 3-2 victory, before his brace to down Poland in the semi-final teed up a big finale with West Germany. Continue reading