Ciao Totò Schillaci, the wide-eyed dreamer who stole Italian hearts
Before his sudden rise to fame, he lived the quiet life of a small-town boy
Totò Schillaci was born in Palermo, Sicily, on December 3, 1964. He grew up in a poor family, and his father was a fisherman. Schillaci started playing football at a young age, and he quickly showed a natural talent for the game. He joined his local club, Palermo, at the age of 16, and he made his professional debut two years later.
Schillaci's big break came at the 1990 World Cup
Schillaci was not initially selected for the Italian squad for the 1990 World Cup. However, he was called up as a replacement for the injured Roberto Baggio. Schillaci made his World Cup debut in the group stage match against Austria, and he scored a goal in a 1-0 victory. He went on to score four more goals in the tournament, including a brace in the semi-final against Argentina.
Schillaci's goals helped Italy reach the final of the World Cup
Italy lost the final to West Germany on penalty kicks, but Schillaci's performance at the tournament made him a national hero. He was awarded the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer, and he was named the Italian Footballer of the Year. Schillaci's success at the World Cup also helped to raise the profile of football in Sicily.
Schillaci's career never quite reached the same heights after the World Cup
After the World Cup, Schillaci transferred to Juventus, one of the biggest clubs in Italy. However, he struggled to maintain the same level of performance that he had shown at the World Cup. He was eventually sold to Inter Milan, and he spent the rest of his career playing for various clubs in Italy and abroad.
Schillaci retired from football in 1999
Schillaci retired from football in 1999, at the age of 35. He had scored over 200 goals in his career, and he had won several major trophies, including the Serie A title and the Coppa Italia. After retiring from football, Schillaci worked as a television pundit and a coach.
Schillaci is still remembered as one of Italy's greatest ever footballers
Totò Schillaci is still remembered as one of Italy's greatest ever footballers. He was a key member of the team that reached the final of the 1990 World Cup, and he was the tournament's top scorer. Schillaci's goals helped to unite Italy during a difficult time, and he remains a popular figure in the country today.
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