Former Italian international Salvatore 'Totò' Schillaci, top scorer of the 1990 World Cup in Italy and former player for Inter Milan and Juventus, passed away this Wednesday at the age of 59 in Palermo, Sicily, after a two-year battle with colon cancer.

The Palermo-born footballer, who won two UEFA Cups (with Juventus and Inter), had been hospitalized in the Pulmonology Department of the Civic Hospital in Palermo since September 9th, with his condition worsening Tuesday night.

The Italian national team confirmed Schillaci's death and bid farewell to their iconic player in a statement on social media: "Goodbye, 'Totò.' Hero of the Magical Nights."

Schillaci had undergone two surgeries due to the cancer, which had seemed to be in remission a year ago but returned aggressively. 

A hero during the 1990 World Cup with legendary performances, Schillaci entered the tournament as a backup but quickly earned a starting role thanks to his goals. Alongside Roberto Baggio, he led the 'Azzurri' to the semifinals, scoring against Czechoslovakia, Uruguay, Ireland, and Argentina in the semifinals, as well as a goal against England in the third-place match.

His six goals made him the tournament's top scorer, earning him the nickname Hero of the Magical Nights and recognition as the second-best player in the world, only behind Lothar Matthäus for the Ballon d'Or.

After his time in Italy, including three seasons at Juventus (1989-1992) and two at Inter, Schillaci moved to Japan, where he played for Júbilo Iwata until 1997, the year he retired.