Italy legend Paolo Rossi dies aged 64 as tributes pour in for World Cup winner

Italy legend Paolo Rossi has passed away at the age of 64.

The former Juventus, AC Milan and Vicenza player is widely regarded as one of the best players Italy has ever produced.

He was part of the squad for the 1982 World Cup, and scored the opening goal in the final as Italy beat West Germany 3-1.

Rossi produced perhaps the best performance of his life earlier in the tournament as he scored a hat-trick to down Brazil and send them out of the competition in a 3-2 win for the Gli Azzurri.

The performance is regarded as one of the best performances ever seen in a World Cup, considering Brazil's status as one of the favourites going into the tournament.

He is considered to be one of the best forwards of all time, having scored an incredible 134 goals in 338 club games.

Rossi spent his entire career in Italy, winning Serie A on two occasions and helping Juve to the 1984 European Cup.

After retirement, Rossi took up a career in punditry, working for Italian outlet RAI Sport.

It was RAI Sport presenter Enrico Varriale who announced the news of Rossi's passing in the early hours of Thursday morning.

He wrote on Twitter : "A very sad news: Paolo Rossi left us.

"Unforgettable Pablito, who made us all fall in love in that summer of '82 and who has been a precious and competent workmate at RAI in recent years. Rip dear Paolo."