History of Paolo Rossi in Timeline

Paolo Rossi was an Italian professional footballer renowned for leading Italy to victory in the 1982 FIFA World Cup. His remarkable performance earned him the Golden Boot as top goalscorer with six goals, and the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. Rossi is one of only three players in history, and the only European, to win all three major awards at a World Cup. His exceptional year was capped off with the prestigious Ballon d'Or, recognizing him as the 1982 European Footballer of the Year. He remains one of Italy's all-time leading World Cup scorers, tied with Roberto Baggio and Christian Vieri with nine goals.

1938: Italy's World Cup drought

In 1938, Italy had previously won a World Cup before experiencing several decades without victory, making Rossi's contributions in 1982 even more impactful.

September 1956: Birth of Paolo Rossi

Paolo Rossi was born in September 1956.

1962: Garrincha's World Cup Win

In 1962, Garrincha achieved the same triple crown as Rossi at the FIFA World Cup.

1972: Early Career at Juventus

Rossi joined Juventus in 1972 but faced injury challenges.

1973: Professional Debut and Intercontinental Cup

Rossi made his professional debut in 1973 and won a runners-up medal in the Intercontinental Cup.

1975: Serie A Debut with Como

Rossi made his Serie A debut with Como in the 1975-76 season.

1976: Move to Vicenza and Scoring Success

Rossi joined Vicenza on loan in 1976 and became a prolific scorer, winning the Serie B Golden Boot.

1976: Record Transfer to Juventus

Rossi was signed by Juventus for a world-record fee in 1976.

December 1977: Italy National Team Debut

Rossi made his debut for the Italian national team in December 1977.

1977: Serie B Top Scorer and Promotion

In 1977, Rossi became the Serie B top scorer and propelled his team to Serie A.

June 1978: 1978 FIFA World Cup Performance

Rossi gained international recognition for his performance at the 1978 World Cup, scoring three goals and earning a place in the Team of the Tournament.

1978: Serie A Top Scorer and World Cup Selection

In 1978, Rossi topped the Serie A scoring charts and was chosen for the Italian World Cup squad.

1978: Mario Kempes' World Cup Win

Mario Kempes mirrored Rossi's triple crown achievement at the 1978 FIFA World Cup.

1978: 1978 World Cup

Rossi also participated in the 1978 World Cup, where Italy finished fourth, and he scored three goals.

1978: World Record Transfer and Vicenza's Relegation

Rossi became the world's most expensive player in 1978. Unfortunately, Vicenza was relegated despite his goals.

1979: Loan to Perugia and European Cup

Rossi went on loan to Perugia and played in the UEFA Cup during the 1979-80 season.

1980: Betting Scandal and Ban

Rossi was implicated in a betting scandal in 1980, leading to a ban from football.

1981: Juventus Debut

Rossi debuted for Juventus in 1981 and subsequently won numerous titles with the club.

1981: Return to Juventus

Rossi returned to Juventus in 1981.

1982: Continued Success with Juventus

After the World Cup, in 1982, Rossi remained with Juventus.

1982: 1982 FIFA World Cup

During the 1982 FIFA World Cup, Rossi played a pivotal role in Italy's victory. He scored a hat-trick against Brazil, two goals against Poland in the semi-final, and the opening goal in the final against West Germany, leading Italy to their third World Cup title.

1982: Post-World Cup Accolades

Following his performance in the 1982 World Cup, Rossi received numerous awards, including European Footballer of the Year and World Player of the Year. He was also nicknamed "Pablito" and "torero."

1982: Serie A Title and World Cup Preparation

In 1982, Rossi contributed to Juventus' Serie A title win and prepared for the World Cup.

1982: National Hero

Rossi's performance in the 1982 World Cup elevated him to national hero status in Italy, where the victory was seen as a significant boost to national morale.

1982: World Cup Top Scorer

Rossi's six goals in the 1982 World Cup made him the tournament's top scorer.

1983: Coppa Italia and European Cup

In 1983, Rossi helped Juventus win the Coppa Italia and reach the European Cup final, finishing as the tournament's top scorer.

1984: Scudetto and UEFA Cup Winners' Cup

Rossi won his second Scudetto with Juventus in 1984, along with the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.

1985: European Cup Victory

In 1985, Rossi achieved victory in the European Cup with Juventus.

1985: Move to Milan

In 1985, Rossi transferred to AC Milan. He's remembered for a two-goal performance in the Milan derby.

May 1986: Retirement and Business Ventures

Rossi retired from professional football at the end of the 1986-87 season after a brief stint with Hellas Verona and subsequently entered the real estate business. His last game for Italy was in May 1986 in a 2-0 win against China.