Italian Football Legend Gigi Riva Hospitalized After Sudden Illness

A sudden illness at home, a small heart attack, then the rush to the hospital with his children. Nothing serious, but Cagliari and Sardinia are anxious about the condition of Gigi Riva, top scorer of the National team and number 11 of the historic Cagliari championship of 1970, hospitalized since yesterday at the Brotzu Hospital in Cagliari. Riva, now honorary president of Cagliari, turned 79 last November 7th. Always a reserved and shy character, he lives in an apartment in the center of Cagliari and in recent years has also limited his usual walks in the city center. And even yesterday Gigi Riva was at home when he felt ill. Gigi Riva, the hospital in Cagliari where he is hospitalized. The doctors of the Cardiology department of Brotzu, after a series of tests, decided for a heart operation. Nothing particularly complicated and among family and close friends of Thunder Roar there is a certain optimism. 'The patient is calm and his general conditions are stable', reads the first medical bulletin of the Arnas Brotzu management. 'Currently - explain the doctors - Riva is under the surveillance of the medical staff and cared for by the family. In the coming days, the necessary clinical investigations will continue'. The management has announced that a daily medical bulletin will be guaranteed. The news of Thunder Roar's hospitalization immediately went around Italy. Gigi Riva hospitalized in a hospital in Cagliari. Who is Riva? Riva is considered the strongest Italian striker after the war. He is still the holder of the record for goals scored in the national team: 35 in 42 appearances, an incredible average of 0.83 goals per game. 'I learn with regret of the illness that struck Gigi Riva, hospitalized in a hospital in Cagliari. A hug to him and his loved ones. Come on great champion!', writes on X the Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, a fan of Cagliari and Riva, by his own admission, since he was a child. 'We are with you, come on Gigi', the message, accompanied by two hearts, one red and one blue, from Cagliari. On social media, worried fans all write 'Come on Gigi' on their walls. And there are many expressions of affection to the family, starting from the former championship teammates. Many of whom, like Riva himself, still live in Cagliari and have always been close to him, from Tomasini to Brugnera, from Greatti to Reginato.