His jersey with number 20 of the winning World Cup team is placed on the coffin of Paolo Rossi during his funeral service, in Vicenza, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. Paolo Rossi, who led Italy to the 1982 World Cup title and later worked as a soccer commentator in his home country, died at the age of 64. (Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press
VICENZA, Italy (AP) - Paolo Rossi's former teammates served as pallbearers on Saturday at the funeral of the 1982 World Cup hero, who died Wednesday at the age of 64.
Only 300 people were allowed into the cathedral in Vicenza because of coronavirus restrictions but thousands had paid their respects to Rossi in the preceding days when his coffin was placed in a viewing room at the Stadio Menti.
Rossi had a remarkable career comeback, leading Italy to the World Cup title after returning from a suspension following a betting scandal in 1980. He later worked as a soccer commentator in his home country.
Rossi's former teammates from the winning World Cup squad carried the coffin into the cathedral, led by Marco Tardelli and Antonio Cabrini and accompanied by Rossi's son, Alessandro.
Rossi's shirt from the World Cup was laid on top of the coffin.
'œI haven't lost just a teammate but a friend and a brother,'ť Cabrini said at the service. 'œTogether we fought, won and sometimes lost, always getting back up after disappointments.
'œWe were part of a group, that group, our group ... I already miss you, your comforting words, your quips and your stupid jokes.'ť
Former soccer players Roberto Baggio and Paolo Maldini also attended, as did the president of the Italian soccer federation.
Rossi's body will be cremated on Sunday.
There will be a minute's silence before all Serie A matches this weekend and the players will wear a black armband.
Rossi was the top scorer with six goals at the 1982 World Cup. The striker netted the opener in Italy's 3-1 victory over West Germany in the final, held in Madrid.
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His former teammates in the winning World Cup team Marco Tardelli, Antonio Cabrini, Gianpiero Marini, Alessandro Altobelli carry the coffin of Paolo Rossi as it leaves the church after his funeral service, in Vicenza, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. Paolo Rossi, who led Italy to the 1982 World Cup title and later worked as a soccer commentator in his home country, died at the age of 64. (Paola Garbuio/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press
His former teammates in the winning World Cup team Marco Tardelli, Antonio Cabrini, Gianpiero Marini, Alessandro Altobelli carry the coffin of Paolo Rossi as it leaves the church after his funeral service, in Vicenza, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. Paolo Rossi, who led Italy to the 1982 World Cup title and later worked as a soccer commentator in his home country, died at the age of 64. (Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press
His jersey with number 20 of the winning World Cup team was placed on the coffin of Paolo Rossi during his funeral service, in Vicenza, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. Paolo Rossi, who led Italy to the 1982 World Cup title and later worked as a soccer commentator in his home country, died at the age of 64. (Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press
His former teammate in the winning World Cup team Antonio Cabrini reads a message during the funeral service of Paolo Rossi, in Vicenza, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. Paolo Rossi, who led Italy to the 1982 World Cup title and later worked as a soccer commentator in his home country, died at the age of 64. (Paola Garbuio/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press
The first page of Gazzetta dello Sport with the title "Champions of the World" was placed at the entrance of the church during the funeral service of Paolo Rossi, in Vicenza, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. Paolo Rossi, who led Italy to the 1982 World Cup title and later worked as a soccer commentator in his home country, died at the age of 64. (Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press
Paolo Maldini embraces Francesca Cappelletti, the wife of Paolo Rossi, after his funeral service, in Vicenza, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. Paolo Rossi, who led Italy to the 1982 World Cup title and later worked as a soccer commentator in his home country, died at the age of 64. (Paola Garbuio/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press
People who were not able to enter the church for the funeral service of Paolo Rossi wait outside, in Vicenza, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. Paolo Rossi, who led Italy to the 1982 World Cup title and later worked as a soccer commentator in his home country, died at the age of 64. (Paola Garbuio/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press
His former teammates in the Italian winning World Cup team, Marco Tardelli and Antonio Cabrini, right, carry the coffin of Paolo Rossi as it leaves the church after his funeral service, in Vicenza, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. Paolo Rossi, who led Italy to the 1982 World Cup title and later worked as a soccer commentator in his home country, died at the age of 64. (Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press
The wife and the daughters of Paolo Rossi follow his coffin as it leaves the church after his funeral service, in Vicenza, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. Paolo Rossi, who led Italy to the 1982 World Cup title and later worked as a soccer commentator in his home country, died at the age of 64. (Paola Garbuio/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press
His former teammates in the winning World Cup team Daniele Massaro, Franco Baresi and Giuseppe Bergomi attend the funeral service of Paolo Rossi, in Vicenza, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. Paolo Rossi, who led Italy to the 1982 World Cup title and later worked as a soccer commentator in his home country, died at the age of 64. (Paola Garbuio/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press