Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Gigi Riva

Gigi Riva cartoon


Luigi "Gigi" Riva, the football maestro born on November 7, 1944, and enchanting the field until January 22, 2024, was no ordinary player; he was a goal-scoring virtuoso and a captain steering Cagliari through triumphs.

With a left foot that broke barriers and an aerial prowess earning him the moniker "Rombo di Tuono" or the "Roar of Thunder," Riva's love affair with Cagliari spanned a lifetime – from propelling them to the Italian top-flight in 1964 to leading them to Serie A glory in 1969–70.

On the international stage, he sparkled, clinching the 1968 UEFA European Championship and nearly securing FIFA World Cup glory in 1970.

As Italy's all-time leading goalscorer with 35 goals in 42 appearances from 1965 to 1974, Riva didn't just retire in 1976; he embraced leadership roles, serving as Cagliari's president and later managing the Italy national team from 1988 to 2013 – a true legend on and off the field!

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