Igor Protti dies at 58

The ex-footballer Igor Prottifront of bari and Leghornamong other clubs, and top scorer in the three professional divisions of Italian “calcio” in the 90s, has died at the age of 58 due to a terminal illness, as reported by his family on social networks.

“With immense sadness, the family announces that Igor left us last night”, is the message in which Protti’s death was announced and which includes the former footballer’s words of gratitude to his family and to “all the fans of the teams for which I played”.

Igor Prottiwho had been fighting colon cancer for a long time, stood out in the Italian “calcio” in the nineties as a forward in several clubs, including the bari in which he became the top scorer in the 1995-1996 season with 24 goals.

Nicknamed the ‘Tsar’, he also wore the T-shirts of the Lazio and Naplesbut it was in Leghorn where he became an idol by leading the return of this club to Serie A and where he remained until his retirement in 2005. However, he was never called up for the Italian national team.

The former footballer will be buried in Dried meatmunicipality in the province of Livorno (Tuscany, central).

Clubs and organizations say goodbye to Protti

The news has caused a wave of messages of condolence in Italian football, and the teams have joined in mourning the death of the attacker.

Livorno, where he is considered a legend, has paid an emotional tribute to him by stating that “Igor was Livorno”, while Bari has highlighted the courage with which he faced his illness.

“You played the most difficult game with the courage of the greats and, although today the final whistle leaves everyone heartbroken, you will always remain in the memory of those who supported you. Your goals, your runs under the stands, your love for these colors made generations of red and white fans dream,” Bari published.

While other of his former teams, such as Lazio, also wanted to pay tribute to him: “Lazio joins the mourning for the death of Protti, a true bastion of tenacity and passion.”

Or Naples, which has declared that the player earned “everyone’s affection for his human and sporting qualities.”

Also the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Serie A and C, and numerous clubs of all categories have joined the mourning for the disappearance of one of the most emblematic scorers of Italian football in the 1990s.