Italy legend Toto Schillaci’s footballer cousin struck down by tuberculosis weeks after his death at 59

Toto Schillaci’s family has been hit by tragedy for the second time in a month – with the World Cup legend’s footballer cousin struck down by tuberculosis.

Italy striker Schillaci, 59, passed away on September 18 after a two-year battle with colon cancer.

AFP

Salvatore Schillaci passed away in September[/caption]

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His cousin Maurizio Schillaci has been diagnosed with TB[/caption]

His cousin Maurizio Schillaci attended his funeral in Sicily two days later.

But Maurizio has since spent several weeks in a Palermo hospital after being diagnosed with TB.

A disease of the lungs, it is described by the World Health Organisation as “the world’s top infectious killer.”

TB is nowadays rare in Europe, with the most cases in south-eastern Asia, Africa and the western Pacific.

Maurizio, 62, previously played for Lazio and hometown side Palermo among other Italian clubs.

Injuries forced the striker to retire aged 31. 

He later became addicted to heroin and cocaine.

Schillaci often ended up homeless, and was infamously found sleeping in his Fiat Panda or on the streets of Sicily’s capital.

His health declined as he also suffered from malnutrition, relying on friends and charities for food.

And his condition is understood to have worsened since the deaths of his beloved pet dogs Johnny and Ciccio earlier this year.

He was rushed to the Civico hospital after testing positive for tuberculosis, and has since undergone intensive treatment with antibiotics.

The ex-player has regained a stone in weight, but continues to suffer from fever – and doctors remain cautious about his future.

Cousin Toto, who played for Juventus, scored six goals at the Italia 90 World Cup.

He denied England a bronze-medal finish by scoring the Azzurri’s winner in the third-place match in Bari.