Gigi Riva, Italy’s all-time leading marksman and one of the greatest players of his generation, has passed away aged 79.

Nicknamed ‘Rombo di Tuono’ (‘Roar of Thunder’), he broke the deadlock as Italy beat Yugoslavia 2-0 in the UEFA EURO 1968 final and was one of the stars of the 1970 FIFA World Cup Mexico™, bagging a brace against the hosts in the quarter-finals and a fine, extra-time goal in the 4-3 victory over West Germany in ‘The Game of the Century’ in the semis.

Riva outranked Giuseppe Meazza to become Italy’s top scorer in 1973, and played his last international in a 1-1 draw with Argentina at the following year’s World Cup. Overall he netted 35 goals in 42 games for his country.

At club level, he joined Cagliari as a 19-year-old in 1963. In his first season on Sardinia, Riva helped them achieve promotion to Serie A for the first time ever, and in 1969/70 he inspired the Sardinians to their first and only Scudetto.

The Leggiuno native also claimed three Capocannoniere awards in four seasons. Only Ciro Immobile (four) and Gunnar Nordahl (five) have won more.

Riva was later a key member of Marcello Lippi’s backroom staff at Germany 2006, helping La Nazionale conquer their fourth world title.

“Now even the sky is shaking,” wrote FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “‘Rombo di Tuono’, the best scorer in the history of the Italian men’s national team, has left us.

“A timeless champion. He was a hard man, yet a very good man. His unassailable values have been an example for generations of footballers, particularly those who won the FIFA World Cup in 2006, whom he accompanied in his role as team manager.

“From today the history of football is a puzzle without one of its best pieces. Have a good trip, beloved Gigi.”