Former Italy hero Gigi Riva – still to this day the national team's all-time top scorer – has passed away at the age of 79.
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Italian legend passed away on MondayHad been hospitalised over the weekendRemains Azzurri's all-time top scorerWHAT HAPPENED?
Riva had been taken ill at his home in Sardinia over the weekend and was taken to hospital for treatment for a suspected heart problem. However, it was confirmed on Monday that the legendary forward had died after a short spell in hospital.
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Riva spent a year at Legnano before going on to become a legend at Cagliari, spending 13 years at the club and winning a Serie A title. He was also crowned the Italian top-flight's top scorer on three occasions with Cagliari and was runner-up in the Ballon d'Or in 1969, losing out to AC Milan and fellow Italy hero Gianni Rivera.
DID YOU KNOW?
It was with the Italy national team that Riva secured himself as a national hero, however. In 42 appearances for the Azzurri, he netted 35 times to become their all-time top scorer – a record he still holds. He helped fire Italy to the Euro 1968 title, scoring in the final as they beat Yugoslavia 2-0. Two years later, Riva scored three times in the World Cup as the Azzurri made it to the final, where they were beaten 4-1 by Brazil.
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The Italian football legend's passing was confirmed shortly before the Supercoppa Italiana final between Inter and Napoli in Riyadh, so no minute's silence was held in his honour. Serie A clubs will likely pay tribute to him before their matches this weekend.