Paolo Rossi, the star of Italy's successful 1982 World Cup campaign, has tragically passed away at the age of 64.

The death of the former Juventus and AC Milan striker, who won the Golden Boot and เว็บ-แทงบอล Golden Ball in 1982 and made 48 caps for his country, was announced in the early hours on Thursday by Italian TV channel RAI Sport for whom Rossi had been working for as a pundit recently. 

According to Italian media, he passed away after battling a long illness.  

Rossi's goals saw Italy to victory in the 1982 World Cup in Spain. He is pictured here celebrating scoring the first of his side's goals in their 3-1 final win over West Germany, having bagged both in a 2-0 semi-final win over Poland

Rossi was the goalscoring star of Italy's successful 1982 World Cup campaign in Spain (above)

Rossi's wife, Federica Cappelletti, confirmed his death by posting an image of the pair online

She also posted a picture on Facebook of Rossi walking alongside his two daughters

His wife Federica Cappelletti confirmed the news in the early hours of Thursday morning, posting a picture of the pair on Instagram, along with the message: 'Forever'.  She did not disclose exactly how he died. 

She also posted a picture of him, walking along with his two daughters, to Facebook. on there, she captioned the shot: 'There will never be anyone like you, unique, special. After you there is absolute nothing.'

Rossi won two Serie A titles, one European Cup and one Coppa Italia during four years at Juve but it is his time for the national team which is most fondly remembered, as his six goals led Italy to victory in Spain 38 years ago. 

'Such terribly sad news: Paolo Rossi has left us,' said RAI Sport presenter Enrico Varriale.  

'Unforgettable Pablito, who made all of us fall in love in that summer of 1982 and who was a precious and competent work colleague in RAI over recent years. RIP dear Paolo.'

Tributes began to flow from the world of football, too, with former Germany international Jurgen Klinsmann among the first to mark the 64-year-old's death. 

'Dear Pablito, we always remember you!' he tweeted, along with a video of Rossi's greatest World Cup moments.

Italian football legend Paolo Rossi (centre) has tragically passed away at the age of 64

Rossi in action for Juventus against Liverpool in the UEFA Super Cup final back in 1985

Italian papers were also quick to pay tribute. described the striker as 'the centre forward from the penalty area, who lived for goals.' 

Their obituary stated: 'Terrible news in the middle f the night that upsets the world of football, both in Italy and around the world. And the Italians all together. 

'At 64, Paolo Rossi died, defeated by an inexorable evil, the hero of the 1982 world champion Italy, the one who beat Zico's Brazil, Maradona's Argentina, Boniek's Poland and in the final the Germany of Rummenigge.' 

declared: 'Italian football loses one of its symbols.' They also point out that Rossi was the first footballer ever to win the World Cup, World Cup Golden Boot and the Golden Ball in the same year. Only Ronaldo has equalled the feat since.  

simply described him as 'a national hero'. 

Italian journalist sought to remind the public of Rossi's words on winning the World Cup in 1982, sharing his interview after the full time whistle.

'I watched the crowd, my teammates, and I felt deep inside a bitter feeling. 

'Now. Please stop the time, now. I will never again live anything like that. Never again for the rest of my life.' 

Rossi scored a total of 20 goals for the Italian national team from 1977-1986, with his performances in the latter stages of the '82 World Cup placing him into Italian folklore.  

The striker spent four years at Juventus and also spent time at AC Milan and Hellas Verona

Rossi (above in 2016) leaves behind three children - Sofia Elena, Maria Vittoria and Alessandro

He scored a hat-trick in a famous 3-2 win against Brazil, scored both goals in the 2-0 semi-final victory against Poland and scored the opening goal in the 3-1 final triumph against West Germany in Madrid. 

Though in truth, he almost never made it to the finals. Rossi was served with a ban for match-fixing in 1980, after it emerged a match between Perugia and Avellino was infiltrated by a betting syndicate. 

Rossi, the highest paid footballer in the world at the time, always denied any wrongdoing, and แทงบอล saw his ban reduced to two years. 

He still holds the record for most goals scored in World Cup finals by an Italian, along with Roberto Baggio and Christian Vieiri. Each have scored nine times on football's grandest stage. 

It is another huge blow for the world of football, with his death coming just weeks after that of Diego Maradona

Rossi (left) celebrates his opening goal against West Germany in the 1982 World Cup final

At club level, as well as Juve, Milan and Perugia, Rossi played for Como, Vicenza and Hellas Verona until his retirement in 1987.

Having scored 134 goals in 338 club matches, he is widely considered as one of the best forwards of his time.

As well as his wife, he leaves behind three children, Sofia Elena, เว็บ-แทงบอล Maria Vittoria and Alessandro. 

The news delivers yet another blow to the world of football, his death confirming the loss of yet another icon so soon after the passing of Diego Maradona.