Italian World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro struggled to hold back tears as he remembered legendary striker Gigi Riva, but many other current and former players and Serie A clubs also paid tribute to the late ‘Lombo. Di Tuono’ has expressed his condolences.
Riva died on Monday, January 22, 2024, in a hospital in Cagliari. His doctors said the man was hospitalized the same day with a stroke, but he had refused to undergo coronary angioplasty.
They added that there was “nothing” to suggest a sudden deterioration that would have caused Ms Riva’s death.
The news broke in Italy on Monday night, seconds before kick-off of the Supercoppa Italiana final between Napoli and Inter. A minute’s silence was observed after the half-time break, but fans booed at Al-Awal Park Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. As Rega Calcio explains, “silence” is not a way to honor the dead in Arab culture. .
Many players and staff learned of Riva’s death before kickoff in the second half. They include Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri and Inter star Nicolo Barella, who played in Riva’s youth sector in Sardinia before joining Cagliari’s academy as a child.
The Italy international was among those to pay tribute to the legendary Italian striker on social media after Inter’s win over Napoli on Monday.
“Goodbye Gigi, thank you so much. You will forever be our myth.”
Riva was Cagliari’s honorary president and the club’s all-time top scorer. He helped the club win its first and only Serie A title in 1970, but turned down offers from bigger clubs so as not to betray his hometown of Sardinia. He spent his entire career with Rossoblu.
Riva, Italy’s top scorer, was also part of Marcello Lippi’s staff at the 2006 World Cup, having also been the Azzurri team manager from 1990 to 2013.
Many members of the team have also praised Riva, including Francesco Totti and Fabio Cannavaro. The former defender struggled to hold back his tears during an interview with Sports Media Set on Monday night.
“I always told him he is a myth within myths,” Italy captain Cannavaro said in 2006.
“He was an extraordinary person who passed on so many values to us. I’m sure many will remember him because he was a great footballer and a special human being. There will be.”
Totti posted a photo on Instagram from the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin, showing the trophy and a smiling Riva.
Italian national team coach Luciano Spalletti said (quoted by Gazzetta): He was a quiet leader. There’s no better nickname for someone so quiet. Rombo di tuono! His football and mental strength will be conveyed beyond a thousand words. ”
Several Serie A clubs praised Riva on social media. Cagliari have changed the color of the club crest on X (formerly Twitter) to black.
Thank you, GIGI RIVA 🖤 pic.twitter.com/ws8CePoGJ4
— Cagliari Calcio (@CagliariCalcio) January 22, 2024
“From today onwards, we will be uprooted and even more alone,” the Sardinians wrote.
“It’s as if a part of yourself has disappeared. It’s as if you’ve woken up from a long, intense, wonderful dream that you didn’t want to wake up from.”
Da oggi siamo tutti piu soli.
Con Le Radici Strap.
Come and meet Fosse and Anche, Pezzo di Noi Stessi.
Now look at Soño Lungo, Intenso, Meraviglioso.
Dal quale non abremmo mai voluto svegliarci. pic.twitter.com/RrIVAtNmMx
— Cagliari Calcio (@CagliariCalcio) January 22, 2024
AC Milan, the victory of Gigi Riva, the great symbol, the challenge of Nostro Calcio. Looking for loving moments as a member of the family.
Adio, Rombo di Tuono. pic.twitter.com/oTcFCIip7J
— AC Milan (@acmilan) January 22, 2024
prima dell’inzio tempo di in seconds #napoliinterplease spend some quiet time in the memories of Gigi Riva.#FCIM pic.twitter.com/KETcBHNFCc
— Inter (@Inter) January 22, 2024
President Commisso, the Board of Directors, the team and everyone involved in Fiorentina join the world of football in mourning the passing of Gigi Riva, a legend of Italian and international football. He was an inspiration to soccer fans of all generations.
— ACF Fiorentina English (@ACFFiorentinaEN) January 22, 2024
Roma pursues the happiness of the world in conjunction with the competition with Gigi Riva and the victory of Calcio. Enjoy clubbing with the whole family.#AS Roma pic.twitter.com/gqYhwYUzAl
— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) January 22, 2024
Il Presidente Maurizio #Setti e tutto l’Hellas Verona FC sono vicini alla famiglia #Riva Air Tutto Il Popolo del @cagliaricalcio Gigi, the legendary Rosso Blue, in search of the best moments and sorrows to achieve his own goals @Azurri.#HVFC
— Hellas Verona FC (@HellasVeronaFC) January 22, 2024