Salvatore Schillaci will always be remembered for his exploits with the Italian national team during the 1990 World Cup. His predatory instincts in the opponents’ penalty area made him an instant hit with his signature fist celebration becoming one of the main scenes in Italia ’90.

Last weekend, Schillaci was in Malta as special guest at the SportMalta Awards – L-Ghażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali and yesterday he found time to share his experiences with the members of the media during a news conference in St Julian’s.

For Schillaci this was his second visit here as four years ago he formed part of an Italian team of retired players that figured in an exhibition match against a Malta FA selection at the National Stadium.

The Sicilian is sure that his strong will and determination to succeed were key for him to achieve such a successful career.

“During my time it was not really easy to break into a Serie A team and even more difficult to play with the two biggest teams in the country, Juventus and Inter,” the 48-year-old said.

“I was born and bred in Palermo and it was not easy for youngsters like me from that part of the country to get noticed by the major clubs in the north. But, I always dreamed of becoming a famous player and listened carefully to what my instructors used to tell me during training.

“I wanted to improve and in difficult times I always believed that I could surpass all obstacles and become an individual with a strong character.

“Determination and will to succeed are two very important values that I always try to transmit to young players attending my football school.”

Schillaci joined Messina in 1982 where he quickly established himself as a prolific scorer. However, the turning point in his career arrived in 1989 when he joined Juventus.

“Joining Juve was the biggest victory in my career,” he said.

“I was from the south but Juve were always my favourite team. So, having the chance to wear the famous black-and-white shirt donned by so many of my heroes was everything I had aspired for.”

With Juventus, Schillaci enjoyed the best spell in his career as his goals help the side win the UEFA Cup and Coppa Italia in his first season in Turin.

Inevitably, his performances also caught the eye of national coach Azeglio Vicini who included Schillaci in his squad for the 1990 World Cup, hosted by Italy.

“Being in the squad for the World Cup is something difficult to describe in words,” Schillaci said.

“It was an immense joy for me as the call-up represented a fantastic payback for the long years of hard training that I put in.

“I had never represented my country before, not even in a friendly.

“So, making the squad for the first match against Austria was already enough for me let alone coming in and scoring on the day of my debut.

“We were close to winning the tournament but it was not to be. Personally, I finished the top scorer and those memories remain in me for the rest of my life.”

Schillaci stayed with Juventus for another two seasons before joining Inter.

However, with the Nerazzurri he failed to maintain the same high level of performances and a string of injuries also made it difficult for him to leave a lasting impact at the San Siro.

After a couple of years in the Japanese league, Schillaci decided to hang up his boots and is now focused on his football school in Sicily and also finds time to appear in TV promotions.

On Saturday, he had an opportunity to visit the School of Sport in Kirkop and was left impressed with the structure of the project introduced by Kunsill Malti għall-Isport.

“The authorities here should be lauded because they’ve come up with a great idea to nurture a sporting culture inside the Maltese children,” he said.

“I visited the School of Sport on Saturday and met the people involved in its running.

“I was really interested in what they are doing. You know, your children are very lucky to have such opportunities in a small island like Malta.

“The message I would like to relay to those who intend to start a career in sport is to work hard, listen to the coaches and, most importantly, never give up on your dreams.”