Cagliari coach Claudio Ranieri on
Tuesday expressed his respect for Gigi Riva as tributes
continued to pour in for the Italian soccer great, who died aged
79 on Monday after suffering a heart attack.
Riva, Italy's record Italy goalscorer with 35 strikes, was the
spearhead of Cagliari's 1970 Serie A winning team.
"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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