Salvatore “Toto” Schillaci, hero of the Magic Nights of Italia '90, died at the age of 59, after fought a long battle against cancer. Schillaci, born in Palermo on December 1, 1964, died in the Civic Hospital of Palermo, where he had been admitted on September 7, 2024. Despite some initial signs of improvement, his conditions are unfortunately rapidly worsened in the last few hours.
Schillaci, who has become a symbol of Italian football thanks to his extraordinary 1990 World Cup performances, had undergone two colon surgeries and, although he seemed to have overcome the disease, it had returned. The city of Palermo, to honor its champion, made the Renzo Barbera Stadium available for the funeral chapel, a tribute to someone who represented Palermo's pride on a global level.
Totò Schillaci, a long and painful battle
Schillaci's diagnosis of colon cancer came several years ago, leading him to undertake a course of treatment and surgical interventions. Schillaci himself had shared his drama publicly in an interview, confessing how the disease had affected him deeply, causing him to fall into a state of depression. “The the world fell on me – he said – I was afraid of dying”.
Despite his illness, Totò never wanted to relax completely. He faced his journey with courage, even participating in television programs such as Pechino Express, which seemed to symbolize a return to normality. In recent weeks, however, the tumor took over, leading to an irreversible worsening.
Totò Schillaci: from the fields of Palermo to world glory
Schillaci, born and raised in the San Giovanni Apostolo neighborhood of Palermo, He began his career in the youth team of Amat PalermoPalermo tried to buy him together with his teammate Carmelo Mancuso, but the offer of 28 million lire was rejected by Amat, who asked for 35 million. In 1982 Schillaci moved to Messina, in Serie C2, and in the 1985-86 season he contributed with 11 goals to the promotion to Serie B. He remained in the Giallorossi team until 1989, the year in which his performances attracted the attention of the big clubs. It was Juventus who bet on him, buying him for 6 billion lire. In his first season with the Bianconeri, Totò scored 15 goals, contributing to the victory of the Coppa Italia and the UEFA Cup.
But it was during the 90 World Cup in Italy is Schillaci became a legend. Called up as a reserve, he entered the first match against Austria and immediately scored the winning goal. From that moment he became a starter and he scored in all subsequent matches of the Azzurri, leading Italy to the semi-finals. Despite not winning the World Cup, Schillaci won the title of top scorer with six goals and that of best player of the tournament, remaining forever in the hearts of Italians as the man who had made an entire nation dream.
The decline and rebirth abroad: from Inter to Japan
After the glories of the World Cup, Schillaci's career had a descending parabola. With Juventus, the results progressively dropped and, after the arrival of Gianluca Vialli, Totò was sold to Inter in 1992 for 8,5 billion lire. In Milan, despite scoring 11 goals in two seasons, he failed to shine as in the past, and left the club in 1994.
At that point, his career took an unexpected direction: moved to Japan, where he played for the Yubilo Iwata. He was one of the first Italian footballers to play in that championship, contributing to the victory of the J. League in 1997, before suffering an injury that forced him to retire permanently in 1999. After retiring, Schillaci returned to Palermo, where he devoted himself to entrepreneurial and television activities, also participating in reality shows and films.
Totò Schillaci, after football he became a cultural icon
Schillaci was not just a footballer. Over the years, his figure has transcended the boundaries of the playing field, becoming a cultural icon. After retiring, he participated in several television programs, including L'Isola dei Famosi and Pechino Express, and acted in films such as Amori, bugie e calcetto. He also published an autobiography entitled “Il gol è tutto”, in which he recounted his extraordinary career and his life outside of football.
Back in Palermo, he also devoted himself to politics, running for city councilor for Forza Italia in 2001. Although his political career was short, he continued to be a prominent figure in his city, engaging in social activities and promoting football among young people.
He leaves behind three children, Jessica, Mattia and Nicole, and an unfillable void in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
