Former Italy and Juventus striker Salvatore Schillaci, a star of the 1990 World Cup on his home soil, has died at the age of 59. Schillaci led Italy to their third-place finish in 1990, winning the Golden Boot for his six goals during the tournament, including in the semi-final against Argentina and in their third-place victory over England. He scored the only goal of the game as the hosts overcame the Republic of Ireland in the quarter-finals. His passionate goal celebrations ensured Schillaci became a folk hero in Italy, with his presence in Irish sporting folklore also assured following his goal in that famous Rome quarter-final. Schillaci, who played for clubs including Juventus and Inter, had been taken to hospital in Palermo last week, and a hospital statement a day later said he was receiving treatment to stabilise his heartbeat. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022. Schillaci was the top scorer at the 1990 World Cup, which was hosted by Italy, with six goals. They included winners against Austria in the group stage, the Republic of Ireland in the quarter-finals and England in the third-place play-off. He also put his team ahead against Argentina in a semi-final that went to penalties. Schillaci was awarded the Golden Ball as player of the tournament and was later named as the runner-up for the 1990 Ballon d'Or men's player of the year award, behind World Cup winning captain Lothar Matthaus of West Germany. Schillaci started his career at Messina and ended it in Japan with Júbilo Iwata. He scored only once for Italy outside the World Cup, ending with 16 caps. A small, bustling striker, Schillaci, nicknamed “Toto”, had been a late developer, spending the early years of his career playing in the lower leagues for Sicilian club Messina. He was the top scorer in Serie B, the Italian second division, in 1988-89, earning him a move to Serie A giants Juventus. He had started Italy's opening World Cup game as a substitute but came off the bench to score the winner in a 1-0 victory over Austria. After the excitement of 1990, Schillaci scored only one more goal for Italy and did not appear for them at any other major tournaments. Schillaci helped Juventus to claim the Coppa Italia and UEFA Cup in 1989-90 before winning the latter trophy again four years later with Inter Milan. Schillaci’s spell as Italy’s lead striker may have been brief, but it did not dilute the influence he had on the soccer loving nation. In an interview with the BBC, he reflected on the impact his summer of 1990 had on the nation, as he suggested he touched the hearts of Italy. Schillaci was the face of the 1990 World Cup finals, as he finished as the tournament’s top goal scorer and ended Ireland’s campaign with the winning goal in the quarter-finals. He also looked back on his World Cup story, with his inclusion in the squad named by Italy boss Azeglio Vicini far from assured in the months ahead of the tournament. “There have been times when people have just burst into tears when they meet me,” said Schillaci. “It is great that when I meet people I see a big smile on their faces, they are so happy to meet me. “I think success is hard won so it is nice when people still remember you. The tough thing is when people no longer appreciate you. So I don't mind the attention at all.” “I had got the last place in the squad so I did not even expect to be on the bench,” Schillaci recalled. “I thought I would be watching from the stands. “So, late in the game, with the score 0-0, when the manager Azeglio Vicini called me over and told me to get warmed up because I was coming on, I could not believe it. I asked him, 'do you mean me?'. Schillaci also featured in well-known ad campaigns, like the Smithwicks television ad that ran during the 2002 World Cup. Throughout his career, scored an impressive 154 goals. “We immediately fell in love with Toto. With his desire, his story, his passion,” Juventus said in a statement. “We at Juve were lucky enough to get excited about him before, in that incredible summer of 1990, the whole of Italy did.” Serie A President Lorenzo Casini paid tribute to Schillaci. “He was a champion who lit up the 'magic nights' of Italia 90,” he said. “His desire to reach the top levels in soccer has been and will remain a source of inspiration for so many youngsters pursuing their dream of playing in Serie A.” He then became the first Italian player to play in Japan's J.League and won the league title with his club Jubilo Iwata in 1997. He retired from football in 1999. “A football icon is leaving us, a man who has entered the hearts of Italians and sports fans around the world,” Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni posted on X. “Salvatore Schillaci, known by everyone as Toto, the striker from the magic nights of Italia '90 with our national team. Thanks for the emotions you gave us, for having made us dream, celebrate, embrace, and wave our national flag. Bon voyage, champion.” The Sicilian's wide eyes as he celebrated his goals became one of the enduring images of that World Cup. Juventus were among Italy’s football clubs to pay tribute. They wrote in a statement: “We immediately fell in love with Totò. “His desire, his story, his being so wonderfully passionate, and it showed in every game he played. “We at Juve were lucky enough to get excited about him before, in that incredible summer of 1990, the whole of Italy did, captivated by those wonderfully energetic celebrations of his.” Schillaci was the surprise star of the 1990 World Cup, as he helped Italy to a third-place finish on home soil, but they were knocked out on penalties by Argentina. Irish football fans have taken to X to remember the legend, with one describing Schillaci as a “pantomime villain” of their childhood after the World Cup defeat. He was capped 16 times for his country but left Inter for Jubilo Iwata in Japan, where he retired in 1997.