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PAOLO ROSSI'S heartbroken wife, Federica Cappelletti, has revealed the Italy legend died in her arms as she told him: "Go now... you've suffered enough."

The Italian legend passed away on Thursday aged 64 following a year-long battle with what reports in Italy call 'an incurable disease'.

Paolo Rossi's heartbroken wife, Federica Cappelletti, has revealed her final words to the Italy legend
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Paolo Rossi's heartbroken wife, Federica Cappelletti, has revealed her final words to the Italy legend
Rossi was taken from the morgue from Policlinico towards Vicenza in Siena on Friday morning
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Rossi was taken from the morgue from Policlinico towards Vicenza in Siena on Friday morningCredit: EPA

Crestfallen Federica has now revealed the heartbreaking final words she spoke to the 1982 World Cup icon.

On Rossi's final moments, Federica said: “I told him: 'Paolo go now. You have suffered enough.'

"He didn't want to leave us, but I hugged him tight and said 'leave this body.'

"Then he fell asleep."

Federica had earlier shared a series of tributes to her husband on social media.

On Instagram she shared a sweet picture of the happy couple smiling, captioned: "Forever."

On Facebook, she added: “There will never be anyone like you.

"Unique, special, after you there’s nothing.”

Rossi was Italy's hero at the 1982 World Cup, finishing as top scorer as they lifted the famous trophy
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Rossi was Italy's hero at the 1982 World Cup, finishing as top scorer as they lifted the famous trophy
Fans put up banners in tribute to Rossi as his body was taken to Siena
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Fans put up banners in tribute to Rossi as his body was taken to SienaCredit: EPA

Rossi was the star of Italy's 1982 World Cup-winning campaign and won the Golden Boot at the tournament.

He scored a hat-trick in his country's famous 3-2 win against Brazil in the quarter-finals of the 1982 tournament.

In the semi-final he scored both goals as Italy beat Poland 2-0.

And he hit the opener in the 3-1 win over West Germany in the final, helping to inspire an entire generation of young fans.

Rossi finished top scorer in the tournament with six goals.

The former Juventus and AC Milan favourite won 48 caps for his country as well as two Serie A titles and a European Cup.

Paolo Rossi dead: Legendary Italy striker dies, aged 64, as tributes pour in for 1982 World Cup winner
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