Italy is in mourning after soccer great Gigi Riva died aged 79 on Monday following a heart attack.
Italy's record goalscorer with 35 strikes, Riva was also the driving force of Cagliari's 1970 scudetto winning team, .
Considered to be one of the best players of his generation, as well as one of the greatest strikers of all time, Riva enjoyed a remarkable scoring record for Cagliari, thanks to his composure in front of goal, powerful left foot and aerial ability.
His speed, strength and eye for goal led the great Italian journalist Gianni Brera to nickname him "Rombo di Tuono" (Roar of Thunder).
Sardinians adored him for taking their unfancied regional team to the height of Italian soccer against the mighty teams of Turin and Milan, always resisting their lavish offers to move.
He once said, in explaining his honorable refusal of Gianni Agnelli mega offer from Juve that at Cagliari he had found after his arrival in 1963 "many families after coming here without having one, really".
At international level, Riva won the 1968 European Championship and was runner-up at the 1970 World Cup behind Pelè's great Brazil side; he also took part in the 1974 World Cup.
With 35 goals in 42 appearances in official competitions between 1965 and 1974, he is Italy's all-time leading goalscorer.
After retiring in 1976, Riva briefly served as the president of Cagliari during the 1986-87 season, and was later a senior managing official, players advisor and 'uncle' at the national side from 1988 until 2013.
Sorrowful tributes poured in from former teammates, Italian soccer officials and the political world too.
Italy and Juve goalkeeping great Dino Zoff said that he felt "infinite sadness" at losing a "very great friend".
"I feel infinite sadness, it is a great loss, for me also of a great friend," 1982 World Cup winning skipper Zoff told ANSA on the phone.
"So many things bind me to Gigi, we did our military service together, then we won the 1968 European Championships and we continued with the other national teams, until 2000 when I was the coach and he was manager.
"We had a great relationship, it was impossible not to be friends with him.
"For me he was really a friend,'' the former Azzurri goalkeeper continued. He, like me, was not a very open person but he was clear and you always knew who you were dealing with. he was an exquisite person." Former Italy and Cagliari keeper Enrico Albertosi told Sky Sport that he and the Italy legend had spent so many years together including the scudetto win and the World Cup in 1970, and he had "lost a brother.
"I lose a brother, we spent many years together, we slept together with Cagliari and with the national team, I lose someone who was important to me," Albertosi said.
"Even today we spoke on the phone and I heard him well, I didn't know he had heart problems.
Riva's former Cagliari and Italy strike partner Roberto Boninsegna said that the years playing with him "were beautiful years, because that was a Cagliari that was being born.
"Not having a car, we lived together. Breakfast, lunch and dinner: everything. He rushed all over the place. We were great friends and we were still, even though we heard from each other a bit less.
"Then when it came down to a choice, he refused Juve, but I accepted Inter because I'd been a fan since I was a kid. For him Sardinia was everything".
Another former Italy teammate Giancarlo De Sisti said that he had been lucky to play with Riva and that the strikingly handsome and athletic Lombard was a "Greek god".
His voice betraying emotion and pain at the loss of a friend, even before that of a team-mate, ex Roma and Italy midfield great De Sisti told ANSA on the phone: (he was) 'this sort of Greek god who was a myth for many of us, not just the kids of the time.
"It's difficult to comment. I was lucky enough to play with Gigi, to admire him up close. He was a player who gave you a head start, a decent guy who spoke little... a lot of deeds and few words." Italian Soccer Federation chief Gabriele Gravina said that "Italian football is in mourning because a true national monument has left us".
The FIGC president said "I am shocked and deeply pained", ordering a minute's silence before all upcoming fixtures.
Silence was also observed before the second half of Monday night's SuperCup final between Inter and Napoli.
Sports Minister Andrea Abodi said "he is much more than Roar of Thunder; we mourn the man, the professional.
"He represented football from another era".
Premier Giorgia Meloni said "We lose a great sportsman who marked the history of football and of our national side," she said.
"May the earth lie lightly on you, champ." Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said: "bon voyage to heaven, Roar of Thunder".
President Sergio Mattarella summed up the nation's feelings in saying: "So many Italians, and I among them, have learned of the death of Gigi Riva with authentic grief.
"His sporting successes, his character of great seriousness, and the dignity of his conduct in all circumstances earned him the affection of millions of Italians, even those who didn't follow football.
"I send my condolences and sincere sympathies to his family".
Cagliari coach Claudio Ranieri on Tuesday expressed his respect for Riva as tributes continued to pour in the day after his death.
"It's news that I never wanted to hear," said Ranieri.
"It caught me off guard, I'm speechless. "Gigi's passing leaves an unfillable void in all of us. "Everyone knew Riva the footballer. I also had the privilege of appreciating Riva the person: a man who was serious and loyal like few others. "When I came to Cagliari for the first time (as coach) 36 years ago, he was immediately among the people who were closest to me, with his discretion and confidentiality.
"The bond always remained. " When I had the chance to return here, hearing the words 'Claudio is one of us' moved me, made me feel special".
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