Commotion for Gigi Riva: tens of thousands of people and many VIPs at the funeral

Gigi Riva: tens of thousands of people and many VIPs at the funeral

Great emotion in Cagliari for the final farewell to Gigi Riva. Tens of thousands of people attended the ceremony in the Basilica of Our Lady of Bonaria in Cagliari, in the parvis in front of the church. As the coffin and the Cagliari team arrived, applause broke out. In the front row was coach Claudio Ranieri, president Tommaso Giulini and then the whole team.

The crowd followed behind the barriers the event. Present in the church were many soccer VIPs such as Coni president Giovanni Malagò, Gianfranco Zola, Gianluigi Buffon and with him a delegation from Italy's 2006 world champion (among them Fabio Cannavaro). Also at the church was Cagliari Mayor Paolo Truzzu along with other first citizens of the island. Also present was Minister of Sport Abodi.

Rombo di Tuono’s coffin was covered with two jerseys: the red-blue one of Cagliari and the blue one of the national team. "There are no words to describe characters like Riva, a reference for all of us, for his behavior on and off the field", said Zola.

"It is not surprising the presence of so many admirers and friends, and of the people of Cagliari and Sardinia, the welcoming abode throughout his life,‖ Archbishop of Cagliari and secretary general of the Italian Episcopal Conference, Monsignor Giuseppe Baturi, said in his homily. Riva found in this people warmth and respect, here he wanted to share his path and the smell of the sea. He è felt part of this people who accepted him as a beloved son, and loved him with devotion and respect. Now the heart of Cagliari è here and greet him".