Toto Schillaci, 1990 World Cup top scorer, dies aged 59

The striker had spells at Juventus and Inter Milan and had been battling cancer since 2022

Former striker Salvatore Schillaci died on Wednesday at the age of 59. The Italian became famous for being the top scorer at the 1990 World Cup, with six goals. Toto, as he was known, had been battling cancer since 2022.

Schillaci began his career at modest Messina. Relatively unknown in world football, he achieved stardom at the 1990 World Cup, held in Italy, when he was one of the standout players in the Azzurri’s campaign, finishing third in the tournament.

Schillaci also played for Juventus and Inter Milan before ending his career at Jubilo Iwata in Japan. In total, he made 16 appearances for Italy and scored just once for the national team outside of the World Cup.

– He made an entire nation dream during the Magic Nights of the 1990 World Cup. Inter Milan stands with the Schillaci family following Toto’s passing – Inter Milan wrote in a statement.

Schillaci was hospitalized last week in Palermo. According to the hospital, he was receiving treatment to stabilize his heart rate.