Salvatore Schillaci, the Azzurri hero of the 1990 FIFA World Cup, has passed away aged 59 after a long battle with cancer.

Salvatore Schillaci, former Italian forward and Golden Ball winner at the 1990 World Cup, has died at age 59. He played a pivotal role in Italy’s third-place finish that year. Schillaci had notable stints with Juventus and Inter Milan before making history in Japan's J.

Overall, he made 16 appearances for the national team during the course of his career. At club level, he represented the likes of Juventus and Italy and went on to score 154 goals from 417 appearances.

Juventus were among Italy’s football clubs to pay tribute to Schillaci, who became an icon for his unexpected goalscoring exploits at his country’s home World Cup, simply saying ‘Ciao Toto’ on social media with a picture of him in a Juve shirt.

Former Italy and Juventus striker Salvatore Schillaci, a star of the 1990 World Cup on his home soil, has died at the age of 59, his former club Inter Milan said on Wednesday.

Schillaci began the 1990 tournament as a substitute but soon became Italy’s key player, scoring the winning goal in their opening match against Austria. Despite his fame from the World Cup, Schillaci only scored one more goal for the national team and retired from international football shortly after.

ROME (AP) — Salvatore “Totò” Schillaci, the Italy striker who was top scorer at its home World Cup in 1990, has died. He was 59. Schillaci had been hospitalized in Palermo following treatment for colon cancer.

Watch the moment substitute Salvatore 'Toto' Schillaci announced himself on the global stage at Italia 90, with his side's first goal during Italy's first match against Austria.

Italian football legend Salvatore Schillaci has passed away at the age of 59. Schillaci was the top scorer at the 1990 World Cup, securing six goals and earning the Golden Boot. He also received the Golden Ball,