Igor Protti’s family has announced the death of the former Italian striker at the age of 58 and, in accordance with his wishes, shared his final message: ‘This wonderful journey, like every match, has reached the final whistle.’

Former Italian striker Protti died last night, aged 58.

Ex-Italian striker Protti dies at 58

His family confirmed the news in a statement published on his official Instagram page: “With immense sorrow, the family announces that Igor passed away during the night,” the statement reads.

In accordance with Protti’s wishes, the family also published a farewell message from the ex-striker: “This wonderful journey, like every match, has reached the final whistle. It is difficult to find words that can explain it, the only thing I can do is thank my great and wonderful family, whom I have loved dearly.

“I also want to thank all the people who cared for me and stood by my side, and all the supporters of the teams I played for, for the affection and love they always showed me, which I wholeheartedly returned. Hoping this is a see you again rather than a farewell.”

Protti revealed in July 2025 that he had been diagnosed with cancer, which, by September, had spread to his vertebrae. At the end of last month, he walked his daughter down the aisle on her wedding day.

A former striker for Livorno, Messina, Bari, Napoli and Lazio, among others, Protti was, along with Dario Hubner, the only player to become the Capocannoniere in each of the top-three Italian leagues: Serie A, Serie B and Serie C.

To date, he’s also the only player to finish as the Serie A leading scorer while playing for a team that was relegated in the same season (Bari).

During his playing career, Protti scored 48 goals in 144 Serie A matches.

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Un post condiviso da Igor Protti (@igor10protti)

Sky Sport Italia reports that both Juventus and Napoli have shown interest in Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario after Inter opted for Lazio’s Ivan Provedel instead.

Napoli and Juventus have set their sights on Tottenham keeper Vicario, according to Sky Sport Italia transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio.

Vicario transfer news: latest updates with interest from Serie A

Inter had chased the Italy international for several weeks in the past, but the Nerazzurri eventually decided to pick Provedel from Lazio and promote Josep Martinez to a starting role for 2026-27 following Yann Sommer’s exit as a free agent.

The Serie A interest in Vicario, however, remains very much alive, with both Juventus and Napoli tracking the ex-Empoli and Cagliari keeper.

Juventus have made Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez their primary target for a goalkeeper, but they have not yet reached an agreement with the Premier League club and would consider Vicario if he were less expensive than the Argentine.

Napoli, on the other hand, would only open formal talks for Vicario’s return to Serie A if one of their goalkeepers, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic or Alex Meret, were to leave this summer.