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!
