Ciao Totò Schillaci, the wide-eyed dreamer who stole Italian hearts

Feeling anxious, pale as a ghost, and with the gaze of an entire nation focused on him, Salvatore Schillaci likely felt as if he could hear the collective heartbeat of the crowd in the Stadio Olimpico echoing in his mind. At that moment, he was on the brink of making a name for himself not just in Italy, but in the annals of history. Although he didn't realize it at the time, he appeared to be a man gripped by nerves and self-doubt. Just moments later, he would be celebrating, his expressive Sicilian eyes wide with joy. It was a disbelief shared by both him and the people of Italy; in an instant, he transformed from an unknown player into a national hero.

The outpouring of feelings across the globe on Thursday speaks volumes about "Totò." Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described him as "the man who made the nation dream," and that sentiment rings true. The nation had high hopes for the 1990 World Cup, and Salvatore Schillaci became the symbol of that excitement. Each time he scored, all six of his goals, it seemed like the joy and relief of the entire country were reflected in his eyes and expressions. His passing at just 59 from colon cancer is a tragic loss; it feels too soon, like it does for so many others. However, what he leaves behind is a powerful reminder of how both football and life should be embraced and celebrated.

Totò, as he would later be called, ended up as the top scorer at the 1990 World Cup—not too shabby considering that his second appearance for the Italian national team, the Azzurri, was against Austria in their first match of the tournament held in Italy. Schillaci himself admitted that he was simply excited to make the 22-man roster and didn’t really anticipate playing. The coach, Azeglio Vicini, had mentioned to him during practice that he had talent and that there was a chance he might get a few minutes on the field. For whatever reason, his first official match would be in Italy’s opening game, marking the start of his remarkable journey. Soon after, Gianluca Vialli would pass him the ball, and the rest became history.

Schillachi's journey is remarkable for many reasons. Outside of Italy, he was virtually unknown; even in his home country, he was considered a last-minute choice. This was before the days when teenagers could easily look up the players on the Palermo C team thanks to Football Manager. We tuned in to World Cups to learn about talents like Totò, Roger Milla, Carlos Valderrama, Marius Lacatus, and Dragan Stojkovic. Schillaci represented that spirit perfectly. In a nation filled with well-known stars, he brought Italy an unexpected surprise, shifting the focus from established players like Roberto Mancini, Vialli, and Roberto Donadoni to a new hero emerging from the South.

Totò's journey from his modest beginnings in Palermo was quite remarkable. His father had always lived in the same apartment in Sicily, which you might picture as a tall, small, white building overlooking a dusty, red football field where children played with goalposts that had long lost their paint. In the documentary *Italia 90: Four Weeks That Changed the World*, Totò returns to that apartment to visit his father and share a laugh about the past. He recounts how, after making a name for himself during the World Cup, he went back to see his dad, who was enthusiastically waving to a crowd below that was shouting his name: "TOTÒ."

Schillaci found both comfort and regret in the fact that he is mainly remembered for just those four weeks during the Italia 90 World Cup, which stood out in the midst of his lengthy career. He began at Amat Palermo, a club named after a local bus service, where he first caught the attention of scouts from Messina. He enjoyed seven fulfilling years there from 1982 to 1989, and then everything seemed to fall into place. After scoring 23 goals in Serie B, he was quickly signed by Juventus, and to his surprise, he continued his impressive performance by scoring 15 times in Serie A and a total of 21 goals across all competitions.

We should remember that this was an era when soccer was at its peak; Schillaci managed to shine against some of the toughest defenses ever put together in a single league. His compact size and nimble movements added flair to even his simplest goals, and his unforgettable celebrations shared the joy of scoring with the fans. Because of this outstanding season, he earned a spot on the national team. For Totò, the privilege of playing for his country was always his top priority.

Following Italia 90, Schillaci continued playing for Juventus before transferring to Inter in 1992, eventually heading to Japan to conclude his career. He later acknowledged that the remainder of his playing days did not live up to the peak he reached during "un'estate Italiana," particularly with the famous "Notti Magiche" being celebrated by Edoardo Bennato and Gianni Nannini. Yet, how could anyone surpass the incredible performances he delivered in those four weeks during the summer of 1990? “Mio Dio,” as they say in Italy.

After scoring a header against Austria, Schillaci added another goal against Czechoslovakia, but his standout moment came with an incredible goal against Uruguay in Rome. Walter Zenga sent a long kick that was skillfully redirected and faked, setting up a perfect opportunity for Totò to strike without hesitation. He powerfully launched the ball over Uruguay's goalkeeper, Fernando Álvez. It dipped perfectly as it sailed into the net, and in his jubilation, he fell to the ground with his hands raised, eyes wide, overwhelmed with a mix of Italian pride and raw emotion.

He bid farewell to Ireland in the quarter-finals by capitalizing on a defensive error and netted another goal in the semi-final match against Argentina in Naples. However, Italy ultimately fell short, losing in a penalty shootout. In a parting gift, Roberto Baggio allowed him to take the penalty kick against England during the third-place match, giving him a shot at the golden shoe and helping him secure the top spot in the scoring rankings at Italia 90. That year, Schillaci finished second for the Ballon d'Or, just behind Lothar Matthaus.

The loss of Schillaci is felt deeply by many people across the globe, not just in Italy. The 1990 World Cup introduced a new era to the sport; it was contemporary, captivating, and had an enchanting quality, yet it still held some mysteries. This tournament inspired fans to dream like few others have done, both before and after.

At the core of the story is a player who wasn't as dazzling as some of his teammates, and he was fully aware of this. What Totò did was seize the moment and embrace it with all the enthusiasm, feeling, and pride he could muster. Schillaci experienced the height of his life that summer, and for that, he will always be remembered as an Italian hero, as timeless as the city where he made those unforgettable memories.