Italy World Cup star Toto Schillaci has sparked fears for his wellbeing after being admitted to hospital
ITALY World Cup star Toto Schillaci has sparked fears for his wellbeing after being admitted to hospital.
The former Juventus striker hit six goals at Italia 90. He denied England a bronze-medal finish by scoring the Azzurri’s winner in the third-place match.
Schillaci, 59, was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022. He has since undergone two operations.
And the 16-cap international was taken to the Civico hospital in his home city Palermo after reportedly suffering from pneumonia.
His first wife Barbara, who he has remarried, has been the only person allowed to visit him.
She told reporters: “There’s no fresh news, either negative or positive, about Toto. His situation is stationary.
“I know how much he is in people’s hearts. I understand all the concern for him.
“But I ask you to respect our private moment.”
Schillaci, whose official name is Salvatore, won UEFA Cups with both Juve and Inter Milan.
His family issued a statement on social media.
They wrote: “Given the innumerable calls from media and the confused reports doing the rounds, we confirm that our beloved Toto is in a stable condition.
“He is being continually looked after by a team of doctors, day and night. Stay strong, Toto.”
Schillaci was little known outside Italy before the country staged the 1990 World Cup finals.
But he went on to score against Austria, Czechoslovakia, Uruguay, the Republic of Ireland and Argentina before denying England in the third-place game in Bari.