World Cup legend Salvatore 'Toto' Schillaci dies aged 59

World Cup legend Salvatore 'Toto' Schillaci has died, aged 59, after a battle with colon cancer.

The Italian icon, who lit up the nation's home World Cup in 1990, played for Juventus and Inter in a glittering career spanning 384 matches, scoring 159 goals.

The most famous of these came during that iconic summer where Schillaci went from relative unknown to regular starter in a competitive Azzurri squad.

He ended the tournament clutching the Golden Boot award, having struck six times for Italy, as well as the Player of the Tournament trophy.

The agile striker, who came second in that year's Ballon d'Or, then struggled for form at his club sides, scoring just eight goals in 42 matches for Juventus the following season.

After a spell at Inter, Schillaci ended his career in Japan with Jubilo Iwata where he enjoyed a fruitful time in front of goal.

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Following his retirement, he returned to his native Palermo where he opened a youth academy for football.

Schillaci was diagnosed with colon cancer two years ago and faced a major setback in his fight against the disease this month when he was hospitalised with an atrial arrhythmia.

On Wednesday morning, Inter posted a heartfelt message in tribute to a club legend, reading: 'He made an entire nation dream during the Magic Nights of Italia 90.

'FC Internazionale Milano gathers around the Schillaci family for the passing of Toto.'

Juventus, meanwhile, released a club statement: 'Salvatore Schillaci left us today; too soon, too soon, at 59 years old.

'We fell in love with Toto right away.

'With his desire, his story, his passion, and you could see it in every game he played.

'We at Juve were lucky enough to get excited about him before, in that incredible summer of 1990, the whole of Italy did, enchanted by his wonderfully energetic celebrations.

'Because Toto arrived at Juve in '89, and in that season he scored 15 goals in the league, 4 in the UEFA Cup and 2 in the Italian Cup. Numbers that, in fact, earned him the blue jersey in the Italian World Cup, which - also thanks to him - became what we all remember as the month of the "Magic Nights".'

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said: 'A football icon leaves us, a man who entered the hearts of Italians and sports lovers around the world. 

'Salvatore Schillaci, known to all as Toto, the bomber of the magical nights of Italia '90 with our National team. 

'Thank you for the emotions you gave us, for making us dream, cheer, hug and wave our Tricolore. Have a good trip, champion.'

The Mayor of Palermo added: 'With the premature passing of Toto Schillaci, the city mourns the loss of the most representative Palermo footballer in history at a global level. 

'A popularity that, however, has never changed Schillaci, who has always maintained a kind, humble and helpful soul.'

The Serie A immediately announced a minute of silence would be observed ahead of every match this weekend.

Italian Football Federation President Gabriele Gravina said: 'The unstoppable celebrations, in which his face was a symbol of shared joy, will forever remain a common heritage of Italian football. 

'Toto was a great footballer, a tenacious symbol of will and redemption, he was able to thrill the Azzurri fans because his football was full of passion. 

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'And it was precisely this indomitable spirit that made him appreciated by everyone and will make him immortal.'

The Italian icon leaves behind three children: Jessica, Mattia and Nicole. 

A 25-year-old Schillaci entered Italia 90 with just one cap and the squad number 19. He departed the tournament a national hero.

Coming off the back of a good season with Juventus, where he scored 21 times in 50 matches, the striker was ready to compete with the likes of Andrea Carnevale and Gianluca Vialli for the number nine berth.

But he had a fight on his hands, with the established stars possessing a wealth of international experience - and Schillaci was consigned to the bench for the much-awaited opening match against Austria at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

After a tepid opening 76 minutes and the score locked at 0-0, the speedy centre-forward was handed his chance.

And it took him less than two minutes to seize it.

A flagging Vialli received the ball down a dead-end on the right-hand side to the noise of 73,000 Italians baying for a moment of brilliance.

The Sampdoria star managed to find a cross into the box which hung perfectly in the air for an on-rushing Schillaci.

A coil of the neck, an explosive nod of the head, and the ball was in the net - a jubilant Schillaci wheeling off in celebration.

The goal set the tone for the tournament - the centre-forward with his arms raised and mouth agape in disbelief becoming the image of the summer.

By the final group match against Czechoslovakia, he was a starter. And he repaid manager Azeglio Vicini's faith by slotting home in the ninth minute as Italy raced through the group as winners, building up the hopes of a nation. 

After decisive goals against Uruguay and Ireland, Schillaci had gained cult status and expectations were running high as Italy lined up to face an Argentina side boasting Diego Maradona.

And the Juventus man delivered once again - scoring in the 17th minute after following in to rebound a shot clinicially. 

It was to be a false dawn, however, as the Azzurri crashed to a heartbreaking exit on penalties after a Claudio Caniggia strike broke Walter Zenga's clean sheet record in goal.

But Schillaci's legacy lived on past those famous summer nights and the striker's celebrity status saw him experience a post-career renaissance where he regularly appeared on talk shows and even starred as a mafia boss on a hit drama series.

The striker fought to become a Serie A starter. Then fought to earn his place among the greats of Italian football.

The latest battle was one fight too many for this most tenacious and resilient of sporting icons.