Luigi "Gigi" Riva, Italy's leading all-time national team goalscorer died aged 79.

Obituary

Luigi "Gigi" Riva, Italy's leading all-time national team goalscorer died aged 79. Riva, whose physical presence and powerful shooting earned him the nickname Rombo di Tuono (thunder-clap), scored 35 goals in 42 appearances for the national team. He was part of the Italy team that won the European Championship in 1968 and also played in the 1970 World Cup when they were runners-up to the great Brazil team featuring Pele.


      Riva played almost his entire club career with Cagliari and was Serie A top scorer when the Sardinian team won the Italian league title for the only time in their history in 1970. He was honorary president of the club at the time of his death.

     

     

 

     


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