Football: Former World Cup top scorer, Iwata forward ‘Toto’ Schillaci dies at 59

LONDON (Kyodo) — Salvatore Schillaci, the 1990 World Cup top scorer who ended his career with Japan’s Jubilo Iwata, has died at 59, the Italian Football Federation said Wednesday.

Local media reported the forward, known affectionately as “Toto,” succumbed to colorectal cancer.

“I only have a sense of frustration after my partner’s departure came too early,” said his one-time strike partner, former Jubilo star Masashi Nakayama, who is currently managing J3 side Azul Claro Numazu.

“His way as a striker, in how to set one’s mind and go after the goal, is etched firmly within me still.”

The Palermo native started his career at lower-division club Messina before moving to Juventus and shot to stardom at the 1990 World Cup, bagging six goals for the hosts as they finished third.

Following a spell at Inter Milan, the forward joined Iwata in the J-League in 1994 as one of the big overseas stars to light up the burgeoning competition, which began a year earlier.

Schillaci scored 56 goals in 78 league games over three-plus seasons with Jubilo, including 31 in 1995, as he formed a strong partnership with Nakayama, who scored Japan’s first World Cup goal.

In a club statement, Iwata said Schillaci is “carved deeply into our history” and “his legacy will live long in our hearts.”

Schillaci played charity matches in Japan with a side of Juventus legends in 2015 and 2016.