#7 Paolo Rossi
Before the Calciopoli scandal rocked Italian football in 2006, match-fixing was prevalent in the country in the 80’s as well, with the Totonero scandal affecting matches in Serie A and Serie B in 1980. Seven clubs were handed out punishments as a result, including the likes of Milan and Lazio, and prominent individuals as well, most notably star striker, Paolo Rossi.
Rossi was playing for Perugia at the time and was initially handed a three-year suspension, which was eventually reduced to two – just in time for the 1982 World Cup. At one point in time, he was the world’s most expensive player, with Juventus immediately snapping him up once his ban had been lifted.
He was drafted into the Azzurri squad despite being completely unfit in the beginning of a disastrous start to their World Cup campaign.
Persistence with the striker would eventually pay off for the Italians, with the striker bagging six goals in total – including the opening goal against West Germany in the final – and he would go on to win the tournament’s golden boot. His performances at the World Cup would also see him win the 1982 Ballon D’Or.
