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Italy's Record Goalscorer Luigi "Gigi" Riva Dies Aged 79

Italy and Cagliari soccer legend Luigi "Gigi" Riva died on Monday at the age of 79. The former striker passed away in hospital after suffering a heart attack.

Robert Summerscales

Italy's Record Goalscorer Luigi "Gigi" Riva Dies Aged 79
Italy's Record Goalscorer Luigi "Gigi" Riva Dies Aged 79 /

Italy and Cagliari soccer legend Luigi "Gigi" Riva died on Monday at the age of 79.

The former striker passed away in hospital after suffering a heart attack over the weekend.

Riva scored 35 goals in 42 international games for Italy between 1965 and 1974.

He is still his country's all-time leading scorer.

Riva famously netted a goal in the final of Euro 1968 when Italy beat Yugoslavia. He also played in the 1970 World Cup final, which the Azzurri lost 4-1 to Brazil.

After starting at Legnano, Riva spent most of his club career at Cagliari.

He scored more than 200 goals for the Sardinian side and was part of the team that won the Serie A title in 1970.

Riva was affectionately known by the nickname "Rombo di Tuono", meaning Rumble of Thunder.

Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina said on Monday: "Italian soccer is grieving because a real and proper national hero has left us.

"Gigi Riva was the embodiment of a great man and an extraordinary footballer."

Cagliari tweeted: "Thank you for reminding us every day how beautiful it is to be Sardinian.

"You did it with your gestures, with your choices, with your silences. With your wonderful and unforgettable goals. It's the longest night in our history."

There was a minute of silence for Riva before Monday's Supercoppa Italiana final between Napoli and Inter Milan.

Fans and players at Monday's Supercoppa Italiana final observed a minute of silence in honor of Luigi "Gigi" Riva :: IMAGO/LaPresse/Massimo Paolone
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Robert Summerscales
ROBERT SUMMERSCALES

Robert Summerscales launched FanNation Futbol in February 2022. Rob is a British journalist who previously spent two years on the sports desk at the Daily Mail in London, having earlier served as editor of CaughtOffside.com. He has been to the last two FIFA Men's World Cups, in Russia and Qatar, and is looking forward to completing his hat-trick in North America in 2026.

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