Italian World Cup winner Paolo Rossi dies, aged 64

Former Italian footballer Paolo Rossi, who led the national team to victory in the 1982 world cup, has died aged 64.

Rossi became a household name after leading the Azzurri to victory at the tournament in Spain, finishing as top scorer and being named best player.

At club level he first came to prominence as a prolific scorer for Vicenza, earning a move to Juventus and later playing for AC Milan.

His wife Federica Cappelletti posted a picture of them together on social media with the words “per sempre” (“forever” in Italian).

She did not disclose the cause of his death but Italian media are reporting that he had a long illness.