Football Gigi Riva (†79)
“A true national monument” – Italy mourns the loss of its record goalscorer
As of: 9:41 p.m. | Reading time: 2 minutes
One reason why Germany lost the semifinals of the 1970 World Cup: Gigi Riva, here in a duel with Berti Vogts, scored for Italy
Source: dpa
A few days ago, Italian football icon Gigi Riva had to go to hospital. Now Italy’s record goalscorer has died at the age of 79. At the 1970 World Cup, the striker once prevented Germany from reaching the final.
Italian football is mourning the loss of one of its former stars: Gigi Riva has died at the age of 79. The Italian football association FIGC announced this on Monday evening. According to consistent media reports, Riva had to be taken to a hospital in Cagliari on Sardinia in the past few days because of a heart attack. He therefore died as a result.
“I am shocked and deeply saddened that Italian football is mourning a true national monument that has passed away,” said FIGC President Gabriele Gravina. In his memory, a minute’s silence will be observed before games in all leagues, which take place from Tuesday to the weekend.
Gigi Riva is considered a football icon in Italy. In the 1960s, the Italian was considered one of the best strikers and played for the national team for nine years. He scored 35 goals in 42 international matches, making him his country’s record goalscorer. In 1968 he became European champion. At the 1970 World Cup he scored a goal in the semi-final against Germany. Italy made it to the final – lost to Brazil and became runner-up.
World Cup victory in 2006 greatest success
Riva played early on at various amateur clubs. In 1963 he moved to the Sardinian club US Cagliari, for whom he was active as a professional for almost his entire career. At Cagliari, of which he was honorary president, he played 315 games and won the Scudetto in the 1969/1970 season.
At the 2006 World Cup, Riva was responsible for Italy’s national team as team manager
Which: AFP/PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU
After his playing career, he became team manager of the national team and accompanied the Azzurri at six World Cups. His greatest success in this position was Italy’s World Cup victory in 2006. He lived in Sardinia until the end.