As the 1970s progressed, it seemed that the star of Italian forward Paolo Rossi would continue to shine brightly. Top scorer in Serie B for Vicenza in the 1976/77 season, Rossi became the first man to repeat the feat in Serie A the following season. And then came the 1978 World Cup.
Scoring three goals as Italy finished fourth, Rossi claimed the Silver Ball award for the second-best player in the tournament.
Jointly owned by Juventus and Vicenza, the latter gained full rights on the player just before the World Cup in Argentina, winning a bidding war involving the club presidents and sealed envelopes. This is where the story starts to get messy; the star was beginning to burn out as on and off the field Rossi's fortunes took a turn for the worse.
Relegated with Vicenza in 1978/79, Rossi was loaned to Perugia for the following season. But as the campaign drew to a conclusion, the 23-year-old was embroiled in the Totonero betting scandal surrounding Italian football. One match under investigation was Perugia's 2-2 draw at Avellino, a game that had seen Rossi score twice. In May 1980, Rossi's world came crashing down.
Banned for three years for his part in the scandal, Rossi protested his innocence, and would later see the ban reduced to two years. Yet he would miss out on the 1980 European Championships and his chances of playing in the 1982 World Cup appeared slim.
Juventus had purchased Rossi in March 1981, even though he could not feature for them for over a year. Playing in three league matches before the end of the 1981/82 season, Rossi scraped into the Italian squad, although as the group stage matches developed, the decision of manager Enzo Bearzot was scrutinised relentlessly by the Italian press.
With relations strained between the Italian players and press - only keeper Dino Zoff would speak to the media - somehow Italy limped out of their group. A 0-0 draw with Poland, and 1-1 draws against Peru and Cameroon saw Italy edge out the latter on goals scored. Hopes were not high.
To the Italian press, the stumbling nature of the team was hardly surprising. Friendly defeats to France and East Germany before the tournament, and a draw with Switzerland, did little to inspire confidence. The first round in Spain, and Rossi's performances in particular, reinforced the negative feeling surrounding the national team.
The Guardian noted after the Poland match that "his [Rossi's] place may well be in jeopardy for the remaining games against Peru and Cameroon", with Patrick Barclay noting before the second round that "Rossi looks like a man who has been out of the game for two years."
Facing Argentina and Brazil in the second group stage, most experts were understandably predicting smooth progress for a Brazilian team that was thrilling the watching world. Italy did at least win their first match of the tournament, beating Argentina 2-1. But even in victory, Rossi's struggles continued.
Racing through on goal, Rossi failed to beat Argentine keeper Fillol, although Antonio Cabrini would eventually put Italy 2-0 up. Speculation continued regarding Rossi's involvement in the final group match against Brazil. But Bearzot stood firm.
With Italy winning 2-1 and Brazil then defeating Argentina 3-1, the equation was simple for the Italians. Only a win against Brazil would see Bearzot's team through to the semi-finals. "Unless Brazil's performance goes against the trend established since their arrival here, it is difficult to envisage Italy surviving," Barclay wrote in this preview, echoing the opinion of many.
Monday July 4 in the Sarria Stadium, Barcelona. A match that would immediately find its way on to a list of classic World Cup encounters. The flair of Brazil against an Italian team scrapping for their lives. Played in scorching conditions and to the soundtrack of horns, John Motson described the action to BBC viewers who would spend most of the match on the edge of their settees.
It would take five minutes for Rossi to find redemption. A delicious cross from the left via the foot of Cabrini curled across the Brazilian box, before finding Rossi six yards out. Heading the ball back from where it came from, Rossi wheeled away in delight as the weight of the world dropped off his shoulders.
Brian Glanville's description in The Story of the World Cup explains the nature of Rossi's opener: "The goal was simple in execution, but showed Rossi's amazing ability to scent a chance no one else would have imagined, to take on (almost) protective colouring; and to put the chance away."
It may have been a relatively easy finish. But for a man seemingly low on confidence and form, Rossi's header was probably harder than it looked. Not only did it give Italy the lead, it relieved the pressure on Rossi and finally justified Bearzot's faith in him. The floodgates had opened.
You could argue that Rossi's thumping strike from the edge of the penalty area later in the first half or his winner in the 74th minute were equally, if not more golden. But for me, it was the first goal of his hat-trick that deserves the attention of this piece. Because from this point on, Rossi could not stop scoring.
The hat-trick to see off Brazil was followed by a brace in the semi-final against Poland. And the opening goal in the World Cup final landed Rossi the golden boot, sealed his status as the Golden Ball winner, and helped to confirm Italy's barely believable journey from the depths of despair to the heights of glory.
Rossi's own story neatly mirrored that of his country. Struggling to find form in the early part of the tournament, the pressure was growing, with the critics circling as prospects of lifting the World Cup looked fanciful. But from the moment Rossi scored five minutes into the Brazil match, the journey on the road to redemption had started.
That header changed his life. From a man shamed, Rossi would become an Italian hero, scooping the major awards at the 1982 World Cup and later claiming the European Footballer of the Year award. We didn't know it at the time, but at roughly 17:20 CET on Monday July 5, Paolo Rossi was heading for glory.
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