Igor Protti, top scorer in Serie A, Serie B and Serie C1 with Bari and Livorno, has died

Igor Protti, the former footballer and absolute icon of Livorno, died last night at the age of 58 following an illness. The news was announced by his family in an Instagram post. ‘It is with immense sadness,’ reads the post beneath a photo showing him bare-chested beneath the Curva Nord at Livorno’s Stadio Picchi, wearing the captain’s armband, ‘that the family announces that Igor passed away last night.’ The family has announced that anyone wishing to pay their last respects may do so from 3 pm today at the Frongillo funeral parlour at Cecina Cemetery, Via della Rimembranza.

The ‘Tsar’ of Rimini, an old-school centre-forward, shared with Dario Hubner the distinction of being the only footballer to have topped the scoring charts in Serie A, B and C1. His feat in the top flight (24 goals) came during his final season with Bari: the 1995–96 campaign. It was the only instance in Serie A history in which the top scorer title went to a player from a relegated side. At the end of that season, Protti moved to Lazio, but without much success. His record in Serie B and C, however, is linked to Livorno, the team for which the number 10 from Romagna was also captain. His spell at Napoli (1997–98), in Serie B, was also unremarkable.

“This wonderful journey, like every match, has come to an end with the final whistle.” This is Protti’s final message, posted by his family on Instagram: “He wanted to leave you this farewell, which we are sharing in accordance with his wishes.” The centre-forward continues: “It’s hard to find the words to explain it; the only thing I can do is thank my big, wonderful family, whom I adored. To all the people who have loved me and stood by me, and to all the supporters of the teams I’ve played for, for the affection and love they’ve always shown me – which I’ve fully reciprocated. I hope this is a ‘see you soon’ and not a ‘goodbye’.”