Salvatore “Toto” Schillaci, a legendary Italian forward, passed away at age 59 after battling colon cancer. The Palermo native gained worldwide recognition during the 1990 FIFA World Cup, hosted by Italy, where he led the Azzurri to a third-place finish. Schillaci’s remarkable six-goal performance earned him the prestigious Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer. His individual brilliance was further acknowledged when he won the Golden Ball, beating legends like Diego Maradona and Lothar Matthäus.
Despite his short-lived international career, scoring just one more goal for Italy in a match against Norway, Schillaci’s impact on football remains unforgettable. He enjoyed a successful club career, playing for top Italian teams, including Juventus and Inter Milan.
Salvatore Schillaci’s passing marks the loss of a football icon whose legacy endures in the hearts of fans worldwide.
Palermo FC, along with President Dario Mirri and the entire City Football Group, expressed their heartfelt condolences following the untimely passing of Salvatore “Toto” Schillaci. The club also extended its sympathy to the family of Francesco Di Mariano.
Schillaci’s illustrious career saw him shine both domestically and internationally. He won the Coppa Italia and the UEFA Cup during his time with Juventus, before adding another UEFA Cup title with Inter Milan. In 1997, he capped off his career in Japan, winning a J-League championship with Jubilo Iwata.
Diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022, Schillaci was hospitalized at Palermo Civico hospital in early September. His passing has left a void in the world of football. Inter Milan, remembering his stellar performance during the 1990 World Cup, stated, “He made an entire nation dream during the Magic Nights of Italia ’90,” and expressed their deep sorrow over his loss.
Schillaci will always be remembered for his remarkable achievements on the field and his indelible mark on football history.
Club Career
Goals Scored by Salvatore schillaci in his club career with the teams salvatore schillaci played for.
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Messina | 1982–83 | Serie C2 | 26 | 3 | – | – | – | 26 | 3 | |||
| 1983–84 | Serie C1 | 26 | 4 | – | – | – | 26 | 4 | ||||
| 1984–85 | Serie C1 | 31 | 4 | – | – | – | 31 | 4 | ||||
| 1985–86 | Serie C1 | 31 | 11 | 6 | 1 | – | – | 37 | 12 | |||
| 1986–87 | Serie B | 33 | 3 | 3 | 2 | – | – | 36 | 5 | |||
| 1987–88 | Serie B | 37 | 13 | 5 | 2 | – | – | 42 | 15 | |||
| 1988–89 | Serie B | 35 | 23 | 4 | 2 | – | – | 39 | 25 | |||
| Total | 219 | 61 | 18 | 7 | – | – | 237 | 68 | ||||
| Juventus | 1989–90 | Serie A | 30 | 15 | 8 | 2 | 12 | 4 | – | 50 | 21 | |
| 1990–91 | Serie A | 29 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 42 | 8 | |
| 1991–92 | Serie A | 31 | 6 | 9 | 1 | – | – | 40 | 7 | |||
| Total | 90 | 26 | 22 | 3 | 19 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 132 | 36 | ||
| Internazionale | 1992–93 | Serie A | 21 | 6 | 2 | 1 | – | – | 23 | 7 | ||
| 1993–94 | Serie A | 9 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | – | 13 | 5 | ||
| Total | 30 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | – | 36 | 12 | |||
| Júbilo Iwata | 1994 | J1 League | 18 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 5 | – | 23 | 14 | |
| 1995 | J1 League | 34 | 31 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 34 | 31 | |||
| 1996 | J1 League | 23 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | – | 31 | 18 | ||
| 1997 | J1 League | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | – | 5 | 2 | ||
| Total | 78 | 56 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 9 | – | 93 | 65 | |||
| Career total | 417 | 154 | 44 | 11 | 36 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 498 | 181 | ||
International Career
International Goals scored by schillaci
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | 1990 | 12 | 6 |
| 1991 | 4 | 1 | |
| Total | 16 | 7 | |
Scores and results list Italy’s goal tally first.
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 June 1990 | Stadio Olimpico, Rome |  Austria | 1–0 | 1–0 | 1990 FIFA World Cup |
| 2 | 19 June 1990 | Stadio Olimpico, Rome |  Czechoslovakia | 1–0 | 2–0 | 1990 FIFA World Cup |
| 3 | 25 June 1990 | Stadio Olimpico, Rome |  Uruguay | 1–0 | 2–0 | 1990 FIFA World Cup |
| 4 | 30 June 1990 | Stadio Olimpico, Rome |  Republic of Ireland | 1–0 | 1–0 | 1990 FIFA World Cup |
| 5 | 3 July 1990 | Stadio San Paolo, Naples |  Argentina | 1–0 | 1–1 (aet, 3–4 pen.) | 1990 FIFA World Cup |
| 6 | 7 July 1990 | Stadio San Nicola, Bari |  England | 2–1 | 2–1 | 1990 FIFA World Cup |
| 7 | 5 June 1991 | Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo |  Norway | 1–2 | 1–2 | UEFA Euro 1992 qualifier |
FaQs
What teams did Salvatore Schillaci play for during his club career?
Schillaci played for several teams throughout his career, including Messina, Juventus, Inter Milan, and Jubilo Iwata in Japan. His time at these clubs spanned from the early 1980s to 1997.
How many goals did Salvatore Schillaci score during his time with Juventus?
During his time with Juventus (1989–1992), Schillaci made 90 appearances and scored 26 goals across all competitions.
What was Salvatore Schillaci’s most successful season with Messina?
Schillaci’s most prolific season with Messina was the 1987–88 Serie B season, where he scored 15 goals in 37 appearances.
How many goals did Salvatore Schillaci score in the 1990 FIFA World Cup?
Schillaci scored six goals during the 1990 FIFA World Cup, earning him the prestigious Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer.
What are Salvatore Schillaci’s international statistics for Italy?
Schillaci played 16 matches for Italy, scoring 7 goals between 1990 and 1991, including 6 in the 1990 World Cup.
How many goals did Schillaci score during his career in Serie A?
In Serie A, Salvatore Schillaci scored 39 goals, with 26 for Juventus and 13 for Inter Milan.
How many goals did Salvatore Schillaci score for Inter Milan?
During his time with Inter Milan from 1992–1994, Schillaci scored 12 goals in 36 appearances across all competitions.
What was Salvatore Schillaci’s impact in the J-League?
Schillaci played for Jubilo Iwata in Japan’s J-League from 1994 to 1997, where he scored 56 goals in 78 appearances, helping the club win a J-League championship in 1997.
Which competitions did Schillaci win with Juventus?
While at Juventus, Schillaci won a Coppa Italia and a UEFA Cup, making significant contributions to the team’s success.
What was Salvatore Schillaci’s goal-scoring record in the 1990 FIFA World Cup?
Schillaci scored 6 goals in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, leading Italy to a third-place finish and securing the Golden Boot as the top scorer of the tournament.
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