Paolo Rossi

From Scandal to Salvation — How Italy’s 1982 World Cup Hero Rose from Infamy to Immortality

By: Bramwell T. Carrigan

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

In the summer of 1982, Paolo Rossi went from outcast to immortal. Once disgraced by the infamous Totonero betting scandal and banned from the game he loved, Rossi returned from suspension just in time for the World Cup in Spain. Against all odds, he became the man who carried Italy to glory, scoring a hat-trick against Brazil, decisive goals in the semifinal against Poland, and the opener in the final against West Germany. In a single month, he transformed from scapegoat to savior, winning the Golden Boot and Golden Ball, and etching his name into world football history.

Paolo Rossi: From Scandal to Salvation is the definitive account of this extraordinary arc. Drawing on the full sweep of his life—from his humble beginnings in Prato, through youth trials at Juventus, to the glory years at Vicenza and Juventus, and finally to the crushing suspension that nearly ended his career—this book reveals the man behind the myth. It chronicles not only the drama of Spain ’82 but also the struggles of injury, the burden of public shame, and the resilience that made Rossi a symbol of redemption.

This is more than a biography of a striker; it is the story of Italy itself, reflected in football’s highs and lows. Rossi’s tale captures the essence of the beautiful game: scandal, suffering, and the possibility of salvation through the ball at one’s feet. For fans of Italian football, World Cup history, and redemption narratives, this book offers a powerful, emotionally charged portrait of one of the game’s most enduring legends.

Step onto the pitch with Paolo Rossi. Relive the scandal, the goals, and the redemption that shook the world.