Luigi “Gigi” Riva, Italy’s leading all-time national team goalscorer, has died aged 79, Italian media reported on Monday.
Riva, whose physical presence and powerful shooting earned him the nickname Rombo di Tuono (thunder-clap), scored 35 goals in 42 appearances for the national team.
Riva had been taken ill at his home in Sardinia over the weekend and treated for a suspected heart problem.
He was part of the Italy team that won the European Championship in 1968 and also played in the 1970 World Cup when they were runners-up to the great Brazil team featuring Pele.
