Late soccer great Paolo Rossi's
phone, left on by his widow, was inundated Monday by well
wishers marking the 40th anniversary of Italy's third World Cup
win on July 11, 1982.
Rossi, who died aged 64 in December 2020, scored the opening
goal in the Azzurri's 3-1 triumph over West Germany in the final
following his unforgettable hat-trick against favourites Brazil
two rounds earlier.
The phone of 'Pablito' had been left turned on by his journalist
widow, Federica Cappelletti, who told ANSA Monday there had been
a tide of messages recalling the Mundial final, where Italy's
other goals came from Marco Tardelli, before his famous 'crazy
horse' running celebration, and Alessandro Altobelli, who coolly
slotted home the third after a pinpoint cross from wing wizard
Bruno Conti.
Other members of the Italy setup no longer with us are skipper
and elegant libero Gaetano Scirea, killed in a Polish car crash
while scouting talent for Juve at the age of 46 in 1989, and
coach Enzo Bearzot who died aged 83 in 2010.
Bearzot had put his faith in Rossi despite a two year lay-off
due to a betting scandal and kept faith in him despite
indifferent opening performances.
The immortal three goals against Brazil were followed by a brace
against Poland in the semis, and the opener in the final made
Rossi the tournament's top scorer with six.
Cappelletti told ANSA the phone had received "a ton of hearts to
recall Paolo, Gaetano Scirea and Enzo Bearzot who are no longer
here".
She added: "I've received countless calls in these days, they
know it's me on the end but for them it's like Paolo being there
again. And it's bellissimo".
The president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC),
Gabriele Gravina, said at a commemoration Monday that "today we
are celebrating the best Italy.
"Forty years after the World Cup success, the country unites yet
again around the magnificent heroes of that epic feat".
The cup was put on display for fans to admire in Rome.
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