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Hundreds gathered to bid farewall to Italy‘s 1982 World Cup hero Paolo Rossi throughout an emotional funeral ceremony in Vicenza Cathedral on Saturday. Rossi‘s World Cup-winning teammates carried the straightforward wood coffin of the ahead generally known as ‘Pablito’ earlier than and after the ceremony within the metropolis’s Duomo. “If I am world champion I owe it to him,” mentioned former Italy defender Fulvio Collovati. Rossi fired the Azzurri to their third World Cup triumph in Spain along with his six objectives, profitable the Ballon d’Or the identical yr.
His dying after a protracted sickness on Wednesday aged 64 prompted an outpouring of nationwide grief and tributes, and particularly in Vicenza, the northeastern metropolis whose soccer crew he lifted into Serie A.
Thousands had flocked to pay their respects at Vicenza’s Stadio Menti on Friday the place Rossi’s coffin had been on public show.
And on Saturday, lots of gathered exterior the town’s Duomo with 250 individuals allowed attend amid Covid-19 restrictions, with the ceremony broadcast reside on nationwide tv.
“I didn’t just lose a teammate, but a friend, a brother,” former Italy defender Antonio Cabrini mentioned throughout the ceremony.
“Together we fought and won, sometimes lost, always with the desire to get back up. We were part of a group.
“We didn’t assume that you’d go away that group of ours so quickly. Ciao Paolo!”
The World Cup players were joined by Rossi’s son Alessandro carrying the coffin with his wife Federica and daughters Sofia Elena and Maria Vittoria following.
A large replica of the Gazzetta dello Sport front page the day after Italy’s famous 3-1 victory over Germany in the World Cup final, where Rossi scored the opening goal, was placed at the Cathedral entrance.
The Azzurri team jersey with the number 20 was placed on coffin, along with the Vicenza team scarf.
After the ceremony there was a long applause, accompanied by the bells of Vicenza Cathedral, while outside people chanted “Paolo, Paolo…”.
Rossi will be cremated with his ashes returned to his native Tuscany, his wife said this week.
A myth
“Paolo was numerous issues to me. He was a hero as a 14-year-old. For all Italians is a fable,” said former Italy international Paolo Maldini, among the many past and present Azzurri stars in the congregation.
A slight winger who converted to centre-forward, Rossi won the hearts of Italian fans when his goals propelled Enzo Bearzot’s Azzurri — who started the tournament with three uninspiring draws — to a third world title.
But he almost missed the whole tournament.
In 1980, he was caught up in match-fixing scandal known as “Totonero” — a play on the Italian for football pools — that also led to top teams including AC Milan and Lazio being relegated.
After protesting his innocence he was cleared to play again and was rehired by Juventus, going on to earn his spot in the World Cup squad.
He scored a hat-trick in the 3-2 defeat of Brazil, a brace in a 2-0 semi-final win over Poland, and the opening goal in the 3-1 victory over West Germany in the final.
Along with Christian Vieri and Roberto Baggio, Rossi holds the Italian record for nine goals scored in the World Cup.
Born in Prato in Tuscany, Rossi made his professional debut at Juventus in 1973, but his initial two-year spell at the Turin club was blighted by knee injuries.
His first successes were with Vicenza, helping the club into the top flight. However, following relegation he left for a loan spell at Perugia, where scandal struck.
After his suspension Rossi returned to Juve, and the 1983-1984 season was his most successful at club level.
He formed a formidable trio with Michel Platini and Zbigniew Boniek and accumulated trophies — two Serie A titles, the Italian Cup, Cup Winners’ Cups, and European Supercup.
In 1985, Juve won the European Cup amid the tragedy of the Heysel Stadium final against Liverpool, where 39 fans were killed. It was to be Rossi’s last match with the Bianconeri.
Promoted
He went to rivals AC Milan for an unsuccessful season which was overshadowed by harm, as was his remaining yr at Hellas Verona.
In 1987, aged 31, Rossi determined to retire after almost 400 league video games and 154 objectives, and 48 caps and 20 objectives for Italy.
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