BIOGRAPHY

Gigi Riva’s Dating History: Who was Gigi Riva married to?

Published

5 months ago

January 23, 2024

Gigi Riva, an Italian professional footballer, was a top striker and one of the best players of his generation. He scored a remarkable number for Cagliari, thanks to his composure, powerful left foot, and aerial ability. Italian journalist Gianni Brera nicknamed him “Rombo di Tuono” (Roar of Thunder) for his speed and strength.

Riva was initially deployed as a winger on the left flank early in his career but later played in a more offensive and central role as a main striker. He was a well-rounded, brave, prolific, and opportunistic forward with an astonishing finishing skill. Due to his dominance and skill, he is considered by some in the sport to be Italy's greatest player ever.

Due to his height, powerful physique, elevation, and heading accuracy, Riva excelled in the air, and he also had a penchant for scoring spectacular, acrobatic goals from bicycle kicks. Despite his tall build and strong physical attributes, he also possessed excellent technical ability, creativity, and good dribbling skills, as well as a very delicate first touch and notable elegance on the ball.

Gigi Riva was an extremely fit, hard-working, and fast player, with notable stamina, who excelled during sprints and at making attacking runs. He was also an accurate free-kick and penalty-kick taker. However, his career was often marked by injuries, which later affected his mobility, continuity, and fitness, and eventually forced him to retire prematurely.

At the international level, Riva won the 1968 UEFA European Championship and was runner-up at the 1970 FIFA World Cup with the Italy national team. With 35 goals in 42 appearances between 1965 and 1974, he is Italy's all-time leading goalscorer. After retiring, Riva remained in Cagliari and founded the first school of football in Sardinia in 1976, which bears his name.