Paolo Rossi was born in Prato, on September 23, 1956. He played for local teams Santa Lucia, Ambrosiana and Cattolica Virtus before joining the Juventus youth set up in 1972.
He stayed with the Bianconeri until 1975 but only played 3 games in Coppa Italia. In his two seasons in the first team squad his managers were Čestmír Vycpálek (Zdeněk Zeman's uncle) and Carlo Parola. Rossi was unlucky in Turin having to undergo three meniscus operations but he would be back one day.
In 1975-76 he moved to Como in Serie A. He played 6 league games under, first Beniamino Cancian (1-12) and then Osvaldo Bagnoli (13-30) but the Lariani were relegated. He played alongside future Lazio Oliviero Garlini and Fortunato Torrisi.
In 1976-77 he joined Vicenza in Serie B and it was a wise choice. The manager was Giovan Battista Fabbri and the "Lane" won the league, with Rossi playing 36 league games with 21 goals plus 6 games in Coppa Italia with 2 goals.
The following season in Serie A was possibly Rossi's career best. The Biancorossi finished 2nd and Rossi scored 24 league goals in 30 matches and another 2 in 4 Coppa Italia games. A memorable season for Vicenza and Rossi. Rossi in this period also became a regular in Enzo Bearzot's national Azzurri side.
The next season things went wrong and Vicenza were surprisingly relegated. Rossi still scored regularly with 15 league goals in 28 games and 2 in Coppa Italia in 3 games. Vicenza also played in the UEFA Cup but were eliminated immediately by Dukla Prague (Rossi played 1 game).
With Vicenza down Rossi moved on and joined Perugia on loan. This was the "Perugia dei miracoli" (The Perugia of miracles) that had shocked Italy the previous season by finishing 2nd and unbeaten. This year the manager was still Ilario Castagner. Like Vicenza before, the Umbri were unable to replicate the incredible season. They were however having a decent season (beating Roma and Juventus) until disaster struck on March 23. Three of their players, including Rossi, were arrested for their alleged involvement in the Totonero scandal (match fixing). Perugia faded and finished 7th. The club were eventually docked 5 points for the following season and Rossi banned for 2 years. Until things unravelled Rossi had played 28 league games with 13 goals, 4 games in Coppa Italia and 4 in the UEFA Cup with 1 goal (Perugia reached Last 32, Aris Thessaloniki 1-4 on aggregate).
Rossi's career at 24 was on standby. He returned to Vicenza but was forgotten for the time being. He thought of retiring and leaving the country and has always been adamant on his innocence but in the end, two years later, he returned to football.
In 1981-82 he joined Juventus again who were convinced he would return to his former glory. His suspension ended in May 1982 and he returned for the last 3 games of the season. He scored in his first game, the third in a 4-0 win over Udinese. Juventus won the league and then Rossi was surprisingly and not without controversy called up for the 1982 World Cup squad in Spain. Enzo Bearzot believed both in his innocence and in his footballing abilities. The rest is history and will be mentioned in his Italy chapter.
Back in Serie A Juventus had an unlucky season finishing 2nd in Serie A and being stunned by SV Hamburger 0-1 in the European Cup final. The Bianconeri, under Giovanni Trapattoni, did win the Coppa Italia (Verona 3-2 on aggregate). Rossi played 23 league games with 7 goals, 11 in Coppa Italia with 5 goals and 9 in the European Cup with 6 goals.
In 1983-84 Juventus won the Scudetto and the Cup Winners Cup (Porto 2-1). Rossi played 30 league games with 13 goals, 7 in Coppa Italia and 9 in ECWC with 2 goals. Rossi was no longer the goal machine of the past but this was also because he was not playing as a classic centre-forward. Most goals were scored by Michel Platini (25).
The 1984-85 would be his last in Turin. Things didn't go well in the league and Juventus finished 6th. The Bianconeri won the European Cup but in tragic circumstances. In the final at the old Heysel stadium in Brussels 39 Juventus supporters lost their lives crushed to death before the final against Liverpool. The game was then controversially played and won by Juventus with a Platini penalty. Rossi played 27 league games with 3 goals, 6 in Coppa Italia with 2 goals, 9 in the European Cup with 5 goals plus the European Super Cup (won vs Liverpool 2-0).
In 1985 Rossi joined Milan. It was a difficult year with the ownership passing from Giusy Farina to Silvio Berlusconi in February. On the field Milan finished 7th under Nils Liedholm. Rossi missed the first ten league games due to injury and then played 20 league games and scored 2 goals (a brace in the derby) plus 3 in Coppa Italia with 1 goal.
In 1986-87 he joined Verona and was reunited with Osvaldo Bagnoli. The Scaligeri had a good season and finished 4th (UEFA Cup). Rossi played 20 league games with 4 goals plus 7 in Coppa Italia with 3 goals.
At 31 he retired, ravaged by injuries that had tormented him his whole career.
His national career was far more memorable. He won 48 caps for Italy and scored 20 goals. He made his debut on December 21 1977 in a friendly against Belgium under Enzo Bearzot. He then took part in the 1978 Argentina World Cup with 3 goals. His masterpiece however was in "España '82".
In the first three games Italy only managed draws against Poland 0-0, Peru 1-1 (Bruno Conti) and Cameroon 1-1 (Ciccio Graziani). They scraped through on goal difference and were massacred by the Italian press. The Italy squad closed ranks and interrupted contacts with the media (apart from Dino Zoff and Enzo Bearzot). One of the criticisms was the choice of Rossi after two years of inactivity (Serie A top scorer Roberto Pruzzo of Roma was a more popular choice).
They then beat Maradona's Argentina 2-1 (Marco Tardelli, Antonio Cabrini), Zico's Brazil 3-2 (Rossi hat-trick), Poland 2-0 in the semi-final (Rossi brace) and Germany 3-1 in the final (Rossi, Tardelli, Alessandro Altobelli). "Campioni del mondo, Campioni del mondo, Campioni del mondo" as TV commentator Nando Martellini proudly announced.
With 6 goals Rossi was top scorer. From villain to hero for Rossi who became a national legend. Pablito became an Italian icon and also won the "Ballon d'Or" for his Spanish feats.
Italy then did not qualify for the 1984 Euros and Rossi was not included in the Mexico 1986 World Cup squad. He had already done enough to last a lifetime and beyond.
After retiring he tried his luck in politics but failed and worked as a pundit for the major television channels. He also took part in the TV show 'Ballando con le stelle' (Strictly Come Dancing). He kept busy with more serious things too such as charity projects for children with cardiac problems, Palestinian children and he worked with FAO in the fight against world hunger.
Rossi was a striker. He started off on the wing but at Vicenza was moved into the centre of the attack. He was not a physical player at 1.74 metre and 67 kilos. He was extremely quick over short distances and very skilful in tight spaces. He had excellent timing and famous for his opportunism. He was once described as a cross between Nureyev and Manolete (the ballet dancer and the torero). He was an affable and likable character and was universally popular. Less so in Brazil obviously where he is known as the "Carrasco do Brasil" (Brazil's Executioner) due to the 'tragedy of the Sarria'.
In a Lazio connection he will be remembered for his rivalry with Bruno Giordano in the late 70's. In my opinion and I'm sure most Laziali would agree, Giordano was by far the better player. In fact, he had a better club career but Rossi was Pablito and was in the right place at the right time.
He will be remembered especially for his Vicenza days when he was at his peak and then obviously above all as the eternal Pablito of those magic 1982 summer days.
Paolo Rossi died prematurely at 64 in 2020 after a brief battle with lung cancer. Pablito will live on forever in Italian history.
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