Gigi Riva dead aged 79: Tributes pour in for Serie A icon who won Euros with Italy before becoming national team coach
Gigi Riva dead aged 79: Tributes pour in for Serie A icon who won Euros with Italy before becoming national team coach
LEGENDARY Italian footballer Gigi Riva has handed away on the age of 79.
The striker, who's Italy's all-time report scorer with 35 objectives in 42 appearances, died in hospital after falling ailing at his house in Sardinia.
He was a key participant in helping the Azzurri win Euro 1968, bagging the opener within the last towards Yugoslavia.
He also helped Cagliari win the only Serie A title of their history in 1970.
Riva spent all but the first season of his profession with Cagliari, scoring 207 objectives in 374 appearances across a 13-year stint.
This makes him Cagliari's prime scorer by more than 100 objectives.
In 2005, the club retired the No11 jersey in honour of Riva's achievements.
After hanging up his boots, Riva went on to grow to be a coach for the Italian national workforce in 1988.
And he remained part of the backroom employees till 2013.
He was a member of the technical employees throughout Italy's 2006 World Cup triumph.
And after the event, captain Fabio Cannavaro praised Riva for his contribution in the direction of the nation's fourth World Cup win.
Paying tribute to Riva following his dying, legendary Italian keeper Dino Zoff stated: "I'm dropping a fantastic good friend, we've had an extended life together.
"From the army to many reminiscences within the nationwide workforce. Infinite unhappiness, I'm deeply saddened, I can't converse."
Inter Milan also reacted to Riva's passing, including: "FC Internazionale Milano expresses its condolences for the passing of Gigi Riva and rallies around the household and all the world of football on this moment of mourning."
Hours before Riva's dying was confirmed, Cagliari posted: "We are with you, go Gigi 
RED ROADS
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