Legendary Azzurri attacker Paolo Rossi shared his World Cup story and his experiences during the tournament on the eve of Italy winning the third World Cup 32 years back.
The illustrious Juventus striker, who was the top goalscorer at the 1982 World Cup in Spain and Ballon d’Or winner in 1982, represented La Nazionale for close to a decade notching over 40 appearances and scoring 20 goals.
During an interview with a representative from the Azzurri and FIGC’s official website, Rossi revealed the joy of winning the World Cup in 1982 with the Azzurri and recalled some of his most memorable incidents with the nationals side.
“That World Cup was unique in every aspect,“ said Rossi. ”The more time that passes, the more it legendary it will become.
“It happened during an unforgettable period in Italy’s history, also from a sociological point of view, as our country had some irreplaceable figures like Sandro Pertini and Enzo Bearzot. They were great men with great morals.
“Maybe it was the biggest gathering of Italians on the streets celebrating a victory. I think that it had bigger meaning for the people than in 2006.
“But obviously I am biased.”
He also shared the memories he has during the World Cup that were the closest to him.
“I would say the victory against Brazil was the match of the century. It was emotional until the very last second and it was full of extraordinary players. It was definitely the most important game in my career.
“Then the final against Germany, where I scored our first goal, the one that maybe springs to mind first when people think of me. And last but not least, the tricolor flags that fluttered at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“It was a great feeling to know that we had made millions of people happy, especially for me. I always wore the Azzurri shirt with a strong sense of belonging. I could feel the importance and the responsibility. You cannot say no to the national team and I would even have played with just one leg.
“The first thing I think of the 1982 World Cup is always Enzo Bearzot. To me he is the best head coach in the history of the national team. He was an honest man with important values. He treated us like his children with no preferences and no distinctions.
“He was a particular figure that sometimes praised you and other times scolded you. That is why everyone loved him. You could talk to him about everything. I recall him coming into our rooms at night to speak with us.
“He discussed paintings with me, for example, because he knew that I love art.”
The joint top scorer for the Azzurri of all time in the World Cup also shared what he did to pass the time back then during the tournament without the aid of advanced technology.
“Back then to pass the time, we used to listen to music in our rooms. We watched movies in the evening and we played cards. We also talked a lot and that helped to unite our group.
“When we needed focus so we stayed on our own. No one joked about back then, especially right before our games. The tension during the World Cup was so strong; we actually tried to tone it down.
“Before the final against Germany, I did not sleep a lot. Usually, I used to sleep a lot and I have always been a calm person in that respect. Marco Tardelli, Gabriele Oriali or Bruno Conti were very different in that regard; they hardly slept at all.
“That night was different though. It was the final, a unique occasion. I stayed awake to think about how to move on the pitch and I also have to confess, we were so confident back then that we could have thrashed anyone.
“You feel very strong in those moments, even though you know there is an opponent to beat on the pitch and to show the necessary respect to.”
He also shared some of the rituals he did before any game and a painter he would prefer to be compared to.
“Some of us did some rituals. Especially during the warm-up. I used to always enter the pitch with the right foot before the left. Before the game against Brazil, I wore a necklace that a friend gave to me as an amulet as I had not scored a single goal at that point.
“It was a red and white necklace that my friend bought in Barcelona for a few cents. I wore it and scored three goals against Brazil, so I never took it off. I still have it at home.
“If I should be compared to any painter I feel I should probably be compared to Picasso. Even though my nickname was ‘Pablito’. I have to confess that I loved this nickname.
“It is in Spanish, the language of the countries which hosted the World Cups that I took part in: Argentina in 1978, Spain in 1982 and Mexico 1986.”
Rossi, who is a part of FIFA’s 125 best players in football history, concluded by giving his opinion on who among this year’s World Cup participants should be included if that list is integrated.
“For Italy, I would definitely add Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Pirlo. Then I would add [Lionel] Messi, Neymar and perhaps [Arjen] Robben.
“I would also add [Thomas] Mueller from Germany. He’s an extraordinary player who is very physical, consistent and perhaps a little bit underrated.
“I would like to see James Rodriguez again in the future. He surprised us all with his quality.”
