Reuters Rome
Rome
Updated Monday, January 22, 2024-20:43
Luigi 'Gigi' Riva
, the Italian national team's all-time leading scorer, has died at the age of 79, Italian media reported on Monday. The footballer, whose physical presence and powerful shot earned him the nickname 'the Trueno', scored 35 goals in 42 games with the national team.
Riva had been ill at his home in Sardinia over the weekend and had been treated for a suspected heart problem.
He was part of the Italian team that won the 1968 Euro Cup and also played in the 1970 World Cup, in which they finished runners-up to Pelé's great Brazilian team.
Along with his near-namesake Gianni Rivera, Riva was
one of the symbols of Italian football
when color television brought live action to a wider audience.
In 1969, he was a finalist, along with Rivera, for the Ballon d'Or for the best player in Europe.
Riva played almost his entire career for Cagliari and was Serie A's top scorer when the Sardinian team won the Italian league title for the only time in its history, in 1970. At the time of his death he was Honorary President of the club.
Injuries marred the latter part of his playing career and forced him to retire in 1976, having scored
164 goals for Cagliari in 315 league games
.
He was Serie A's top scorer on three occasions.
Subsequently, Riva was part of the national team's coaching staff for many years, including in 2006, when Italy became world champion.