Paolo Rossi, Italy’s 1982 World Cup hero, dies at 64

Paolo Rossi, a former Italian football player, has died at 64 after a long battle with illness.

Federica Cappelletti, wife of the 1982 World Cup hero, broke the sad news on Thursday in a short post on her Instagram page.

“Per Sempre (Forever in Italian),” Cappalleti wrote alongside a picture of them together.

The former Juventus and AC Milan striker became a household name in Italy after leading the Azzurri to World Cup glory at Spain 1982.

His spectacular performance at the tournament earned him the Golden Boot — for finishing as the top scorer — and then the 1982 Ballon d’Or as European Player of the Year.

Rossi scored 20 goals in 48 appearances for the Italian national side.

Pablito, as his fondly called, was Capocannoniere of Serie A in 1977/78 season with 24 goals.

He won the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1984, UEFA Super Cup in 1984/85 season, the European Cup with Juventus in 1985, and two Serie A titles in 1982 and 1984.

During his playing career, the striker represented Juventus, Como, Vicenza, Perugia, AC Milan and Hellas Verona until his retirement in 1987.

Before he passed on, Rossi worked as a pundit for Sky Sport, Mediaset and Rai.