From the world of politics to that of sport, an avalanche of messages of condolence followed the news of Gigi Riva's death within a few minutes.
"Many Italians, and I among them, learn the sudden news of Gigi Riva's death with genuine sorrow. His sporting successes, his great seriousness, the dignity of his behavior in all circumstances have earned him the affection of millions of Italians even among those who did not follow football. I express my condolences and a feeling of sincere closeness to the family", states the President of the Republic
Sergio Mattarella
.
"A great sportsman who marked the history of football and our national team leaves us. May the earth be light on you, champion", says Prime Minister
Giorgia Meloni
, publishing a photo of Riva.
"Much more than a thunderclap, we mourn the man, the professional. He represented a football of other times", said the minister for sport and youth,
Andrea Abodi
.
"Gigi Riva leaves us. Hero of many kids of my generation. Best scorer of the Italian national team. Condolences to his family and to all the Sardinian fans. Safe travels in heaven, rumble of thunder".
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani wrote it
on
X.
"One of the best Italian footballers of all time, we will miss you", says the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry
Francesco Lollobrigida
"Gigi Riva, Rombo di Tuono
. Hero of Cagliari and the national team. May the earth be light on you", writes
Matteo Renzi in X.
"How sad. He leaves us an absolute legend. The person and the footballer", writes
Enrico Letta
on X.
Zoff: "Infinite sadness, I lose a great friend"
"I feel infinite sadness, it's a big loss, for me also of a great friend. Many things connect me to Gigi, we did military service together, then we won the European Championships in 1968 and we continued with the other national teams until 2000 when I was the coach and he was manager. We had a great relationship, it was impossible not to be friends with him."
It is a moved
Dino Zoff
who, on the phone with ANSA, comments on Riva's disappearance.
"For me he was truly a friend - says the former Italian goalkeeper -. He, like me, wasn't a very open person but he was clear and you always knew who you were dealing with. He was an exquisite person".
"He will be greatly missed by football," said Lega Serie A President
Lorenzo Casini
.
Enrico Albertosi: "I lost a brother"
"I lose a brother, we spent many years together, we slept together with Cagliari and the national team, I lose a person who was important to me. Even today we spoke on the phone and I heard him well, I didn't know he had heart problems" .
From the microphones of Sky Sport,
Enrico Albertosi
who won the Scudetto for Cagliari with Gigi Riva and shared the experience of Mexico '70 recalls the football legend.
The memory of Giancarlo De Sisti: "It was lucky to play with him, he was a Greek god"
The voice betrays the emotion and pain for the loss of a friend, even before a teammate.
Giancarlo De Sisti
, on the phone with ANSA, remembers Gigi Riva, "this sort of Greek god who for many of us, not just for the kids of the time, was a myth".
"It's difficult to comment. I was lucky enough to play together with Gigi, to admire him up close. He was a player who gave you an advantage, a respectable boy who spoke little... lots of facts and few words".
Gravina: "He leaves us a national monument"
"I am shocked and deeply saddened" by the death of Gigi Riva.
"Italian football is in mourning because a true national monument has left us."
This was stated by the president of the FIGC,
Gabriele Gravina
.
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