World Cup winner Paolo Rossi’s funeral held in Vicenza

Paolo Rossi’s former teammates served as pallbearers on the funeral of the 1982 World Cup hero, who died Wednesday on the age of 64. Only 300 individuals have been allowed into the cathedral in Vicenza on Saturday due to coronavirus restrictions however 1000’s had paid their respects to Rossi within the previous days when his coffin was positioned in a viewing room on the Stadio Menti.

The day was made much more traumatic for Rossi’s spouse, Federica, as Italian media reported that she found their dwelling had been burglarized whereas she was on the funeral.

Italian nationwide each day Gazzetta dello Sport mentioned that she got here again from the service to search out the home in dysfunction and that valuables had been stolen though an important objects of soccer memorabilia linked to Rossi’s profession had not been taken.

Rossi had a exceptional profession comeback, main Italy to the World Cup title after getting back from a suspension following a betting scandal in 1980. He later labored as a soccer commentator in his dwelling nation.

Rossi’s former teammates from the profitable World Cup squad carried the coffin into the cathedral, led by Marco Tardelli and Antonio Cabrini and accompanied by Rossi’s son, Alessandro.

Rossi’s shirt from the World Cup was laid on high of the coffin.

“I haven’t lost just a teammate but a friend and a brother,” Cabrini mentioned on the service.

“Together we fought, won and sometimes lost, always getting back up after disappointments.

“We were part of a group, that group, our group … I already miss you, your comforting words, your quips and your stupid jokes.”Former soccer gamers Roberto Baggio and Paolo Maldini additionally attended, as did the president of the Italian soccer federation. Rossi’s physique shall be cremated on Sunday.

There shall be a minute’s silence earlier than all Serie A matches this weekend and the gamers will put on a black armband.

Rossi was the highest scorer with six targets on the 1982 World Cup. The striker netted the opener in Italy’s 3-1 victory over West Germany within the last, held in Madrid.