Former Italian World Cup hero Paolo Rossi dead at 64

Former Italy superstar Paolo Rossi, who led his country to the 1982 World Cup title, has died at the age of 64.

Paolo Rossi, the star of Italy’s 1982 World Cup-winning side, has died at the age of 64. The cause of death was not announced.

The former Juventus striker, widely regarded as one of the best forwards in soccer history, also won two Serie A titles and the 1985 European Cup.

News of his death was announced early Thursday in Italy by state broadcaster RAI, for whom Rossi had worked as a TV pundit.

The diminutive forward, nicknamed “Pablito” by the Spanish press in 1982, remains one of only three players (along with Garrincha in 1962 and Mario Kempes in 1978) to ever win a World Cup, the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball at the same tournament. Rossi also won the Ballon d’Or that year as Europe’s best player.

Italians will never forget Rossi for his exploits at that tournament, scoring six goals to lead the Azzurri to a third World Cup. That run included a hat trick to eliminate Brazil 3-2, the tournament favorite. He followed that up with two goals against Poland in the semifinals and one in the final won 3-1 against West Germany.

Rossi began his club career with Vicenza in 1976. While at Perugia, Rossi scored 13 goals in Serie A during the 1979-80 season but was implicated that year in a betting scandal known in Italy as “Totonero.” As a result, Rossi served a two-year ban. Rossi claimed to be innocent.

Rossi was later signed by Juventus, leading the club to two league titles and the European Cup. In total, he made 251 Serie A appearances, scoring 103 goals. He retired in 1987.

Rossi is the second World Cup champion to die in the span of two weeks. Diego Maradona died of a heart attack on Nov. 25 at the age of 60.