Rich Hall leads The Gentleman Ultra’s tributes to a genuine Italy legend
Gigi Riva’s impact on Cagliari and Italian football transcends statistics; it’s an emotional tale of loyalty, passion and triumph.
The emotions of joy, pride and sheer admiration resonate deeply among fans when they recall Riva’s unforgettable moments on the pitch. His connection with the Sardinian club goes beyond the tangible, creating an emotional bond that time hasn’t faded.
The 1969-1970 season, crowned by Serie A glory, stirs a unique emotion as Riva led Cagliari to uncharted territory. The sheer ecstasy of that triumph, fuelled by Riva’s goals and unwavering commitment, lingers in the hearts of fans as a cherished memory.
The “Rombo di Tuono” wasn’t just a nickname; it encapsulated the thunderous emotions he evoked. His powerful shots resonated like emotional thunderclaps, echoing the collective sentiments of fans witnessing their hero in action.
On the international stage, Riva’s emotional journey with the Italian national team, particularly in the 1970 World Cup, reflects the highs and lows of competitive football. From the exhilaration of scoring crucial goals to the heartbreak of falling just short, Riva’s emotional rollercoaster mirrored the passion that defines football itself.
Even in retirement, the emotional connection endured. Gigi Riva remained a symbol of unwavering dedication, loyalty and love for the game, evoking nostalgia and admiration from those who witnessed his impact first hand.
His legacy isn’t just statistical; it’s a testament to the emotional power that football holds in capturing hearts and forging enduring connections between players and fans.
RIP Gigi.
Michele Tossani’s personal tribute to a childhood hero
For obvious reasons (I was born in 1978) I didn’t see Riva playing in person. But still, his name was highly regarded among us kids who tried to emulate his legendary exploits, especially the left footed like me.
In an era when Diego Maradona was in his prime and we cheered on Azeglio Vicini’s Azzurri, our fathers drew a comparison with the legends of Mexico ’70 – Gigi Riva’s Italy.
For us, Riva was a legend. Though we never saw him playing he was still our friend.
In fact, he guided us through the only football available to us on television in those days: the regular second half of the match of the day, shown on RAI two hours after the game itself concluded (in those days games were all played on Sunday afternoon).
With his calm, charming style, Riva introduced the match alongside the great journalist Gianfranco De Laurentiis, explaining everything that happened on the pitch, from the players’ technical movement to the coaches’ tactical decisions. He never raised his tone of voice and always took a respectful, neutral approach. After the well known television show 90° Minuto, the replay of these second halves were the other laical ritual of Italians’ Sundays.
We shared our childhood with you.
Thanks a lot, Rombo di Tuono.
Richard Hough – “will we ever see his likes again?”
I can’t claim any personal connection with Gigi Riva nor even any particular affinity for him. His playing days came long before my interest in Italian football even kicked-off. But today in Italy, it’s impossible to ignore the outpouring of grief and affection for a genuine legend of the game.
Comparable perhaps to Bobby Charlton, who passed away last October, or Franz Beckenbauer, whose passing the footballing world mourned just a few short weeks ago, Riva transcended club and was a true national icon.
Having said that, his name will forever be associated with Cagliari, the Sardinian club where he achieved the impossible. Fans of Leicester City and Hellas Verona will have some inkling of what it means for a club like Cagliari to win the Scudetto, which they did for the first and only time in 1970, led, of course, by the Italian national team’s all-time leading scorer, Gigi Riva.
With the exception of his breakthrough season with minnows Legnano, Riva remained with Cagliari for his entire career. In that respect, comparable to the abiding loyalty of a Jack Charlton or a Francesco Totti.
His goalscoring record for the national team, 35 goals from just 42 appearances, is a truly remarkable feat (Bobby Charlton scored 49 in 106 appearances). More remarkable, however, is the fact that in the modern era only Baggio and Del Piero have come close to matching Riva’s record for Italy, with 27 international goals apiece.
RIP Riva. Will Italy ever see his likes again?