Big sporting events are promoted on the back of superstars known throughout the world. But these tournaments develop narratives of their own, creating their own stories around individuals who may not be well known before.
The 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, popularly referred to as Italia 90, was supposed to be a battle of bragging rights between Diego Maradona, who had almost singlehandedly crowned Argentina world champions with a consistently dazzling display of footballing genius (and cunning) not seen before or since, and Ruud Gullit, who had led the Netherlands to their first major trophy two years ago at the European championships and was at the helm of a star-studded squad featuring the likes of Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard and Ronald Koeman.
But almost three and a half decades later, what comes to mind when those of a certain vintage remember Italia 90 is a 38-year-old Roger Milla gyrating his hips by the corner flag after scoring each of his four goals for Cameroon, which made it the first African team to reach the World Cup quarterfinals; England talisman Paul Gascoigne crying after receiving his second yellow card in the semifinal which ruled him out of a potential final (the British media coined a special phrase for it – Tears of Turin), and the six goals and celebrations of the hitherto unknown Italian striker named Salvatore Schillaci, who passed away on September 18 at the age of 59.
West Germany, coached by the legendary ‘Kaiser’ Franz Beckenbauer and led by the indomitable Lothar Matthaus were the best team in the competition by far and deservedly won the big prize, but such was the efficient manner of their conquest and the clockwork efficiency they displayed, that it almost seemed inevitable and Die Mannschaft somehow failed to capture the imagination or set pulses racing. The fact that the final against Argentina was one of the most dour, pragmatic and cynical contests ever also had a role in making it one of the most forgettable editions if one goes by the attacking intent on display. The South American side had made a habit out of defending throughout a game and scoring against the run of play, or taking the contest to penalties where they inevitably prevailed.
Eternal magic
Schillaci, endearingly nicknamed Toto, was an outsider even in the Italian squad despite playing for powerhouses Juventus. It must be remembered that Serie A was the gold standard in football back then with almost all the top players in the world plying their trade in that country.
In the bigger scheme of things, Italia 90 was the edition with the lowest goals-per-game ratio (2.21), and defences were dominant to such an extent that it prompted a subsequent rule change with respect to the back pass to the goalkeeper, who could no longer receive it with their hands. Italy’s favourite tag was largely based on their water-tight defence, featuring the likes of Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, Giuseppe Bergomi and goalkeeper Walter Zenga. But despite possessing the attacking flair of the likes of Roberto Baggio, Gianluca Vialli, Aldo Serena and Roberto Mancini, they were finding it difficult to break down a stubborn Austria in their first game till Schillaci came off the bench to head in the winner in the 78th winner.
According to the striker himself, he least expected to get game time at the World Cup as he had represented Italy just once going into the tournament.
The next group fixture, against the United States, was the only match of the Italian campaign in which Schillaci didn’t find the back of the net, and when he and Baggio scored in the win over Czechoslovakia, it began to be felt that a new Italian folk hero was in the making.
The Sicilian’s trademark celebrations, with the crazy eyes and arms aloft as he turned around after scoring endeared him with the fans even more. Both perhaps realised that what they were experiencing was something special, something that was not supposed to happen. For Schillaci, it was nothing short of living a dream as he became one of the most recognisable figures in the sporting world over that magical month.
His goal-scoring spree continued in the knockout stages as he netted against both Uruguay and Ireland to put Italy into the semifinals. While most of his goals had the stamp of a striker, proving that he was indeed a fox in the box, he also showed his prowess in finding the net from distance.
Heartbreak
Hopes were high as Italy went into the clash against Argentina – or Maradona and 10 others, as the team was often described as. Italy were still to concede a goal at the World Cup, and when Schillaci gave them the lead in the 18th minute, the host nation was dreaming, before Claudio Caniggia equalised halfway into the second half and the defending champions prevailed in the penalty shootout.
The Italian dream was dashed, but Toto did convert a penalty in the third-place playoff against England to become the highest scorer of the tournament, ending up with both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball honours. He also finished second behind Matthaus in the Ballon d’Or roll of honour.
The intriguing aspect of the Schillaci story is that nothing before or after the 1990 World Cup mirrored even remotely what happened during it. He scored just one more goal for his country and the move from Juventus to Inter Milan hardly bore fruit, with the striker becoming the first Italian player to feature in the Japanese top division, where he ended his playing days in the late 1990s.
So what explains the outpouring of emotion for a player who, barring a period of four weeks, largely dwelled in the fringes of footballing excellence? His rags-to-stardom story, originating in Sicily – associated with the Godfather legend – may have something to do with it. Cinderella stories always pull at the heartstrings, especially with the place that calcio occupies among Italians. Shooting stars burn up in the atmosphere before reaching the ground. They may not last long, but the light they emit is remembered for years by those who witness it.
Schillaci may not be in the league of Maradona, Gullit, Matthaus, or the superstars of soccer who came before or after them, but he personified the joy of a humble footballer living his dream on the biggest stage, and the common fan identifies with that. His lack of success on either side of that purple patch only makes him more endearing.
