Gigi Riva, a living hero of Italian soccer, died Sunday night at the age of 80. He was still a symbol of national sport and made an unmistakable mark on soccer history. Luigi "Gigi" Riva, who was born on November 7, 1944 in Leggiuno, in the province of Varese, is regarded as one of the best attackers in Italian soccer history. Riva, also known as the "Rumble of Thunder," brought strength, skill, and determination to the field, becoming a symbol of Italian passion and pride. In 1962, he made his professional debut with Cagliari, a club to which he would be forever linked. Gigi Riva played for Cagliari from 1962 to 1976, and he made key contributions to the team's success. In the 1969-1970 season, Cagliari captured its first and only Serie A championship during his tenure. The remarkable goals scored by Riva, who finished the season as the league's leading scorer with 21, also made an impression. The Sardinian squad created history by winning the title, and Riva became a national hero. And his tie with the Rossoblu, which he opted not to leave despite receiving lucrative offers from the main Italian clubs 'on the continent', puts him at the top of the list of Italian football flags, among very few other champions. Gigi Riva's international career is also remarkable. He played 42 matches for Italy and scored 35 goals. His most well-known effort came during the 1968 European Championship, which Italy won. Riva led the event in scoring with three goals, displaying his ability to compete in international competitions. Unfortunately, Gigi Riva's career was similarly hampered by major injuries, prompting him to quit in 1976. His lasting impact on Italian soccer is undeniable, particularly his role as a mentor to the Azzurri players who appeared in the national team from 1987 to 2012: as an accompanying manager, he lived as a protagonist throughout the Vicini, Sacchi, Trapattoni, Dino Zoff (the first, in these minutes, to mourn him) and Lippi eras, contributing to the 2006 World Cup victory. His fiery style of play, ability to score incredible goals, and loyalty to the Cagliari shirt, however, will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on football history.
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