Former Italy international Salvatore 'Totò' Schillaci dies aged 59

Former Italian international footballer Salvatore 'Totò' Schillaci has died aged 59.

The top scorer at the 1990 World Cup in his home country, the striker is perhaps best known among Irish fans as the man who bagged the winning goal to eliminate the Republic of Ireland in the quarter-finals at Italia 90 - ending the nation's best-ever tournament run.

Schillaci scored six goals during the fabled tournament, including one in Italys' semi-final defeat to a Diego Maradona-fronted Argentina.

Our condolences to the family and friends of Salvatore 'Toto' Schillaci following his passing.

He will always be a part of Irish football folklore. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/hoeMcKceKw

— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) September 18, 2024

A diminutive, instinctual attacker often referred to as 'Totò', he started his career in 1982 at Sicilian club Messina, before going on to play for Italian giants Juventus and Inter. He retired from playing in 1999, following a stint in Japan with Júbilo Iwata, ending his career with 154 league goals.

Some of Schillaci's former clubs have payed tribute to the late icon today.

"We immediately fell in love with Toto. With his desire, his story, his passion," Juventus said in a statement. "We at Juve were lucky enough to get excited about him before, in that incredible summer of 1990, the whole of Italy did."

"You allowed a whole nation to dream during the Notti Magiche (Magic Nights) of Italia '90", posted Inter to X. "FC Internazionale Milano extends its condolences to the Schillaci family upon Totò's passing."