Paolo Rossi would have turned 70 today

Italian football legend Paolo Rossi would have celebrated his 70th birthday today. A central figure in Italy’s 1982 World Cup victory, Rossi won the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot during that tournament, most notably scoring a hat-trick against Brazil in the quarter-finals.

Throughout his career, Rossi played for several prominent clubs, including Juventus, Vicenza, and Perugia. During his time with Perugia in the 1979/80 season, he scored 14 goals. His career was also marked by a period of suspension following the ‘Totonero’ betting scandal, though he maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.

His family has shared tributes to mark the occasion. His wife, Federica Cappelletti, expressed her grief and love on social media, describing him as a devoted husband and father, and noting the profound void his absence has left in their lives.