OBITUARY
Italian World Cup striker Schillaci dies aged 59
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, his former clubs Inter Milan and Juventus said on Wednesday.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.”
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.
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.
-Reuters
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
The President General of the Nigerian Football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Super Eagles goalkeeper and captain, Peter Rufai, describing his passing as a monumental loss to Nigerian football.
In a heartfelt tribute on Friday, Ladipo lamented the growing number of fallen Nigerian sports heroes and called for national reflection and prayer in the wake of Rufai’s demise.
“Another big tree has fallen. What is it that is happening to our heroes? Why are we losing them one after the other?” he asked in an emotional statement. “Oh God, Peter Rufai is gone. The man who served Nigeria meritoriously for years.”
Ladipo fondly recalled Rufai’s iconic role in Nigeria’s football history, particularly his contribution to the national team’s success in the 1990s.
“He was our number one goalkeeper in Tunisia ’94, when we won the Africa Cup of Nations. He stood tall again at the USA ’94 World Cup and was there in France ’98. He was a winner all the time.”
Rufai, affectionately known as “Dodo Mayana,” passed away on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the age of 61. He remains one of Nigeria’s most celebrated goalkeepers, with a legacy that spans more than a decade of international service and over 60 caps for the Super Eagles.
Ladipo is devastated by the death of Peter Rufai
Ladipo expressed pain that Rufai died at a time he was still actively giving back to Nigerian football and youth development. “How could Peter Rufai leave when he was trying to give back, at a time he was needed most?” he asked.
He called on Nigerians to unite in prayers for the country, especially its athletes and sports heroes. “We must come together and start to fervently pray for this country, asking God Almighty to kindly have mercy,” he urged.
“May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace,” Ladipo concluded.
The late Rufai’s death has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian football community, with tributes pouring in from former teammates, fans, and sports administrators across the country and beyond.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Former Nigerian international goalkeeper, Ike Shorunmu, has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Peter Rufai, describing the legendary shot-stopper as his idol and a major influence on his football career.
In an emotional message following Rufai’s passing on Thursday, July 3, Shorunmu, who also manned the posts for the Super Eagles and Lagos-based Stationery Stores FC, revealed how the late Rufai’s charisma and goalkeeping brilliance inspired his own journey into the sport.
“Dodomayana was just a wonderful personality on and off the field,” Shorunmu stated, using Rufai’s popular nickname. “Because of him, I joined Stationery Stores FC. I admired him a lot when he was playing for Stores.”
Shorunmu, who eventually rose to become Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, said meeting Rufai in the national team was a dream come true. He credited the late captain with shaping his goalkeeping skills through valuable mentorship.
“When we now met in the national team, he taught me different things which I will not forget quickly,” he added. “Adieu, my idol Peter Rufai. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. I will miss you, Dodomayana.”
Rufai, who died at the age of 61, was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper at the 1994 FIFA World Cup and helped the Super Eagles lift the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations. He also captained the team in several crucial matches and is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s greatest goalkeepers of all time.
His death has sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes from former teammates, football administrators, and fans both in Nigeria and abroad.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Al-Hilal’s Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo broke down in tears during the minute’s silence held for their former Portugal teammate Diogo Jota before their side’s Club World Cup quarter-final against Fluminense on Friday.
Jota, a Liverpool forward, and his younger brother Andre Silva were killed in a car accident in northwestern Spain on Thursday morning when their Lamborghini veered off the road and caught fire.
Tributes have continued to pour in for Jota and Andre with footballing greats including Cristiano Ronaldo and Steven Gerrard, joining the Prime Ministers of Portugal and Britain in mourning the loss.
Friday’s match between Al-Hilal and Fluminense in Orlando began with players and fans observing a minute’s silence in memory of Jota and Andre.
Neves, one of Jota’s closest friends who played with the 28-year-old during their days at Wolverhampton Wanderers, issued a touching tribute on Instagram about an hour before kick-off.
“Wherever you are, I know you’re going to read this, we’ve never been one for this sort of thing and maybe now I’ll regret it a little, but you know what you mean to me just as much as I know what I am to you,” Neves said
“More than a friendship, we’re family, and we’re not going to stop being family just because you’ve decided to sign a contract a little further away from us!
“When I go to the national team, you’ll still be by my side at the dinner table, on the bus, on the plane… you’ll always be there with me, as usual. We’ll keep laughing, making plans, sharing our lives with each other.
“I’ll make sure you’re always there and I’ll make sure your family never lacks anything while you’re there, far away but thinking of us, waiting for us …
“As of today, you’ll be on the pitch with me, and we’ll follow our path together, on the stage where we met.”
Chelsea’s Portuguese forward Pedro Neto also paid a heartfelt tribute to his friends when he walked out on the field with a shirt bearing their names before their quarter-final against Palmeiras in Philadephia.
“We spoke with Pedro yesterday and this morning and this afternoon and it was completely Pedro’s decision to play or not to play,” Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said after his team’s 2-1 win.
“He did, he made a fantastic effort to play this game, to play with his teammates, and we really appreciate what he has done.
“I just said to the players that this win is especially for him because we know how close he was, and the effort that he has made. So no doubt that we really appreciate what he decided in the end.”
The funerals of the brothers are expected to take place on Saturday at 10 a.m. local time (0800 GMT) in the Portuguese town of Gondomar.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Like father like son, Davide Ancelotti becomes Brazil’s Botafogo manager
How Joao Pedro brace sends Chelsea into Club World Cup final
Former Fluminense player, Joao Pedro, downs club and Fires Chelsea into Club World Cup Final
- OBITUARY6 days ago
BREAKING: Nigerian Goalkeeping Legend Peter Rufai is dead
- Nigerian Football5 days ago
Football Agent John Shittu Demands Retraction and ₦250 Million Damages from Samson Siasia Over Bribery Allegation
- WAFCON4 days ago
Nigeria, Tunisia Set for High-Stakes WAFCON 2024 Clash in Casablanca
- OBITUARY6 days ago
Peter Rufai looked lean when I last saw him, says mourning NFF President, Gusau
- OBITUARY4 days ago
Peter Rufai and I, Ike Shorunmu, pays tribute to late mentor
- OBITUARY5 days ago
Family issues statement on Peter Rufai
- IMMEMORIAL5 days ago
Peter Rufai’s Death Adds to Long List of July Tragedies in Nigerian Football
- WAFCON3 days ago
WAFCON 2024: At last, Super Falcons break opening match losing streak