Gabriele Gravina, president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), has revealed plans to name Rome’s Stadio Olimpico after Paolo Rossi, the Italian football legend who passed away last year.
Rossi won the FIFA World Cup for Italy in 1982, scoring six goals in the process to win the tournament’s Golden Boot. He died in December 2020 at the age of 64.
A bronze statue of Rossi was unveiled yesterday (Monday) in his home city of Prato, Tuscany. The unveiling was attended by members of Rossi’s family, former team-mates and Gravina, who said that discussions have been held over a wider recognition of Rossi’s contribution to Italian football.
“We have started a process of gratitude for Paolo,” Gravina said, according to Sky Sport. “Our federal council chamber is named after him and I would also like to dedicate the Salaria Sport Village in Rome to him.
“I would also like to name the Stadio Olimpico in Rome after him. We have given availability, but it does not depend on us. It is not easy considering the legal nature of the body that manages the stadium, but it would be a great gesture.”
The Stadio Olimpico serves as the home of Serie A clubs AS Roma and Lazio, and is also used to stage Italian national team matches.
The stadium has a capacity of over 70,000 and was one of the host venues during this summer’s UEFA European Championship, which was won by Italy.
Image: Liam McKay on Unsplash
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