Paolo Rossi, the man who led Italy to its World Cup triumph in 1982, has died, aged 64, Italian media report.

Rossi scored six goals for Italy in those finals, including three against Brazil. He then scored twice against Poland in the semi-final and another against Germany in the final, which Italy won 3-1. Rossi won the tournament’s Golden Boot and Golden Ball and, in the same year, the Ballon d’Or.

Born in Prato, Rossi played for Juventus, Vicenza, Como, Perugia, Milan and Verona. He won two leagues with Juventus, a Cup of Cups, a European Super Cup and a Champions Cup.

He was married to Federica and had three children: Sofia Elena, Maria Vittoria and Alessandro.

The news was announced in the early hours of Thursday morning by Italian TV channel RAI Sport, for whom Rossi had been working as a pundit.

“A very sad news: Paolo Rossi left us,” RAI Sport presenter Enrico Varriale tweeted. “Unforgettable Pablito, who made us all fall in love in that summer of ‘82 and who has been a precious and competent workmate at RAI in recent years. RIP dear Paolo.”

Shortly after the news broke, Rossi’s wife posted a photo of herself and her husband to her Instagram account along with the words “per sempre” – “forever”.

She did not disclose the cause of his death.