Italian football legend Luigi "Gigi" Riva, known for his powerful left foot and his loyalty to his hometown club Cagliari, has passed away at the age of 79. Riva's contributions to the sport and his impact on the island of Sardinia have left a lasting legacy.
Riva's career was defined by his time at Cagliari, where he played almost his entire professional career. Despite being courted by larger clubs like Juventus, Riva remained committed to his hometown team. He led Cagliari to the Serie A title in 1970, using his thunderous left foot to score over 200 goals for the club.
His performances on the pitch earned him the nickname "Roar of Thunder" after a renowned journalist witnessed him destroy Inter Milan at the San Siro in 1970. Tarcisio Burgnich, a former Inter Milan defender, described Riva's presence on the pitch as a "movement of a people."
Riva's journey to success was not an easy one. He was born into a poor family in the small town of Leggiuno, Lombardy. Tragedy struck early in his life when his father died in a gruesome factory accident. His mother passed away from cancer when he was just 16. Riva's upbringing was marked by deprivation and tragedy, and he often spoke about how he would give up some of his football success to change his childhood.
However, Riva found solace and support in Sardinia. The people of the island embraced him as one of their own, and he considered them his second family. Even in the most remote areas of Sardinia, people had pictures of Riva in their homes. He became a totemic figure not only for Cagliari fans but for the entire island.
Riva's attachment to Sardinia remained strong even after his retirement. In 2019, he was named the honorary president of Cagliari, and he never left the city that had provided him with the support he had lacked in his childhood.
On the international stage, Riva was Italy's all-time leading goalscorer, with 35 goals in just 42 appearances. However, his international career was marred by injuries, including a broken leg in 1970 that ended Cagliari's title hopes. Despite the setbacks, Riva won the European Championship in 1968 and reached the final of the World Cup in 1970, where Italy was defeated by Pele's Brazil.
After retiring as a player, Riva remained involved in Italian football. He was highly respected by the modern generation of players for his dedication to the national team. His passion for the sport and his commitment to representing Italy left a lasting impression on players like Gianluigi Buffon, who described the thrill of seeing or hearing from Riva.
The loss of Gigi Riva is deeply felt not only by the footballing world but also by the people of Sardinia. He will be remembered as a true legend who put his hometown on the footballing map and who remained loyal to his roots throughout his life.