Paolo Rossi, the hero of Italy's 1982 World Cup-winning campaign, has died at the age of 64.
The news was announced on Thursday by Italian TV channel RAI Sport, for whom Rossi had been working as a pundit.
"Such terribly sad news: Paolo Rossi has left us," said RAI Sport presenter Enrico Varriale, who did not disclose the cause of death.
"Unforgettable Pablito, who made all of us fall in love in that summer of 1982 and who was a precious and competent work colleague in RAI over recent years."
Shortly after the announcement, Rossi's wife, Federica Cappelletti, posted a photo of herself and her husband on Instagram along with the words "per sempre" - "forever".
Rossi won two Italian Serie A titles, a European Cup and a Coppa Italia during his four years with Juventus but it was his time with the national team that is most fondly remembered as his six goals led Italy to World Cup victory.
Rossi scored a hat-trick against Brazil in the second stage, both goals against Poland in a 2-0 semi-final victory, and then scored another in the final as Italy beat West Germany 3-1 to lift the trophy for the third time.
Reuters
Thu Dec 10 2020
![Italy's Paolo Rossi gets away from Brazil's Junior during the FIFA World Cup second phase group 4 match in Estadio Sarria, Barcelona, July 5, 1982. Image by Action Images via REUTERS Italy's Paolo Rossi gets away from Brazil's Junior during the FIFA World Cup second phase group 4 match in Estadio Sarria, Barcelona, July 5, 1982. Image by Action Images via REUTERS](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-12/51607570648_PAOLO.jpg)
Italy's Paolo Rossi gets away from Brazil's Junior during the FIFA World Cup second phase group 4 match in Estadio Sarria, Barcelona, July 5, 1982. Image by Action Images via REUTERS
![China promises Latin America 'trustworthy' ties as Trump lays out demands China promises Latin America 'trustworthy' ties as Trump lays out demands](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/41691592123_WangYi.jpg)
China promises Latin America 'trustworthy' ties as Trump lays out demands
Beijing looks to improve its foothold in a region historically under the US sphere of influence.
![Major risks loom as Trump upends US Russia policy Major risks loom as Trump upends US Russia policy](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/81739935395_tbVladimirPutinDon.jpg)
Major risks loom as Trump upends US Russia policy
Washington's approach changes dramatically with the initial meeting between US and Russian negotiators.
![Pope Francis has double pneumonia, complicating his treatment, Vatican says Pope Francis has double pneumonia, complicating his treatment, Vatican says](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/71739950345_PopeFrancis.jpg)
Pope Francis has double pneumonia, complicating his treatment, Vatican says
Doctors say a polymicrobial infection occurs when two or more micro-organisms are involved and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
![Philippines' VP Duterte challenges impeachment before Supreme Court Philippines' VP Duterte challenges impeachment before Supreme Court](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/81738903885_TBSaraDuterte.jpg)
Philippines' VP Duterte challenges impeachment before Supreme Court
Sara Duterte makes her first legal move to fight the case that could lead to her removal and lead to a lifetime ban from public office.
![Motor racing - Hamilton steps out in red at unprecedented 10 team F1 launch Motor racing - Hamilton steps out in red at unprecedented 10 team F1 launch](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-12/41733723992_LewisHamilton.jpg)
Motor racing - Hamilton steps out in red at unprecedented 10 team F1 launch
I feel so full of life, so much energy, because everything's new and I'm just focused on what is up ahead, Hamilton says.
![UAE tells US' Rubio it rejects displacement of Palestinians UAE tells US' Rubio it rejects displacement of Palestinians](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/51739962942_SheikhMohamedbinZ.jpg)
UAE tells US' Rubio it rejects displacement of Palestinians
The UAE's stance matters as its one of four Arab nations that normalised ties with Israel during Trumps first term.
![Taylor Swift wins recording artist of the year crown for fifth time Taylor Swift wins recording artist of the year crown for fifth time](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/51739940935_TBTaylorSwift.jpg)
Taylor Swift wins recording artist of the year crown for fifth time
The megastar's "The Tortured Poets Department" record also topped four IFPI charts, the IFPI says.
![More than $50 billion needed to rebuild Gaza, World Bank joint assessment says More than $50 billion needed to rebuild Gaza, World Bank joint assessment says](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-01/71737096454_palestinegazaisr.jpg)
More than $50 billion needed to rebuild Gaza, World Bank joint assessment says
Years of rebuilding work, including clearing unexploded ordinance and millions of tonnes of rubble lie ahead.
![Malaysia’s AI data centre development to be impacted by recent US restrictions - Liew Malaysia’s AI data centre development to be impacted by recent US restrictions - Liew](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/81739939398_TBLiewChinTong.jpg)
Malaysia’s AI data centre development to be impacted by recent US restrictions - Liew
Liew Chin Tong says the restrictions would not affect the development of the domestic data centre ecosystem as a whole.
![Sweden's top court rejects Greta Thunberg lawsuit on climate action Sweden's top court rejects Greta Thunberg lawsuit on climate action](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/81739955532_GretaThunberg.jpg)
Sweden's top court rejects Greta Thunberg lawsuit on climate action
A court cannot decide that the parliament or the government must take any specific action, the Supreme Court says.
![[COLUMNIST] Trump’s Gaza (pipe) dream [COLUMNIST] Trump’s Gaza (pipe) dream](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-10/51728873693_EMIR.jpg)
[COLUMNIST] Trump’s Gaza (pipe) dream
The Gaza plan is dangerous and counter-productive as it's merely another recipe for regional instability.
![Sivasangari eyes new career-high in world rankings Sivasangari eyes new career-high in world rankings](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/81739946217_SivasangariSubraman.jpg)
Sivasangari eyes new career-high in world rankings
After climbing to a career-best world number seven, national women's squash ace S. Sivasangari is determined to keep rising.
![Outburst against Steven Sim: DAP will probe if there's a complaint - Loke Outburst against Steven Sim: DAP will probe if there's a complaint - Loke](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-01/81736761438_TBANTHONYLOKE.jpg)
Outburst against Steven Sim: DAP will probe if there's a complaint - Loke
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke says the disciplinary committee has not received any reports related to the incident so far.
![US judge will not block Elon Musk from firing federal workers, accessing data US judge will not block Elon Musk from firing federal workers, accessing data](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-01/51737453660_tbElonMusk.jpg)
US judge will not block Elon Musk from firing federal workers, accessing data
The case raises questions about Musk's apparent unchecked authority as a top deputy to President Donald Trump.
![Dozens of false killer whales stranded on remote Australian beach Dozens of false killer whales stranded on remote Australian beach](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/61739935984_tbWhalesArthurRiv.jpg)
Dozens of false killer whales stranded on remote Australian beach
Rescue crews trying to save the majority of the large dolphins that survived the ordeal, according to authorities.
![Trump restricts AP access over Gulf of Mexico issue Trump restricts AP access over Gulf of Mexico issue](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/61739249021_AirForceOne.jpg)
Trump restricts AP access over Gulf of Mexico issue
The AP, citing editorial standards, says it would continue to use the gulf's established name.
![China to fly back 200 nationals rescued from Myanmar scam centres, Thai official says China to fly back 200 nationals rescued from Myanmar scam centres, Thai official says](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/71738880696_TBShweKokkocity.jpg)
China to fly back 200 nationals rescued from Myanmar scam centres, Thai official says
This is part of a multinational effort to crack down on illegal online operations run from the region.
![Somber Tiger Woods back in action in TGL loss to New York GC Somber Tiger Woods back in action in TGL loss to New York GC](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/41739933264_TBTigerWoods.jpg)
Somber Tiger Woods back in action in TGL loss to New York GC
Tiger Woods makes his first start since the death of his mother when he competed in a TGL match at Palm Beach Gardens.
![Brazil's ex-President Bolsonaro charged in alleged coup plot Brazil's ex-President Bolsonaro charged in alleged coup plot](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/81739932787_Brazil.jpg)
Brazil's ex-President Bolsonaro charged in alleged coup plot
A total of 34 people were charged, including several military officials.
![Trump and Musk target tax enforcers, rocket scientists, bank regulators for job cuts Trump and Musk target tax enforcers, rocket scientists, bank regulators for job cuts](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-11/81732680289_ElonMusk.jpg)
Trump and Musk target tax enforcers, rocket scientists, bank regulators for job cuts
Concerns grow over transparency, oversight, and Musk's influence on government operations.