Legendary Italian football player Paolo Rossi would have turned 68 today.
Born on September 23, 1956, in Tuscany, Rossi made his football debut in 1974 when “Juventus” signed him at just 18 years of age. However, due to intense competition for a starting spot, he was quickly loaned to “Como”.
Next came the Serie B team Vicenza, where the 1977-78 season became a turning point for Paolo Rossi. Newly promoted, Vicenza finished the championship in second place, with Rossi shining as the outstanding player.
In the 1978-79 season, Vicenza was relegated from Serie A after scoring just 29 goals, 15 of which were netted by Rossi.
It was evident that Rossi wouldn’t stay in Serie B for long, shortly after he joined “Perugia”. He had a stellar start to the season, but soon faced serious allegations of match-fixing. Rossi was briefly imprisoned, and even the Pope intervened to advocate for his release. Ultimately, he was handed a three-year ban from football.
Upon his return in 1982, Rossi had joined “Juventus”, who signed him while he was still serving his suspension.
In his debut match, he managed to score a goal, which was followed by Rossi’s remarkable World Cup performance. Prior to the tournament’s start, Italian national team coach Enzo Bearzot was confident that, despite his lack of recent play, Rossi would shine on the global stage.
The coach’s predictions proved accurate—Paolo Rossi scored six goals in the World Cup, emerging as the tournament’s top scorer and guiding Italy to victory. In the quarter-finals, he notably eliminated Brazil by netting three goals against the Seleção.
“We didn’t lose to Italy today; we lost to Rossi,” said Brazilian coach Telê Santana after the match.
In the final, Italy defeated West Germany 3-1, with Rossi scoring once again, securing Italy’s third World Cup title.
The legendary player passed away from lung cancer on December 9, 2020, at the age of 64. Rossi’s legacy lives on through his remarkable achievements. As we remember him on what would have been his 68th birthday, we celebrate a true legend whose influence on the sport continues to resonate with fans globally.
From Prison to World Cup Glory: Remembering Paolo Rossi on His 68th Birthday
