Inter chief executive Giuseppe ‘Beppe’ Marotta has paid tribute to the legendary Gaetano Scirea on the 30th anniversary of his death.

“The news of his death was dramatic and devastating for everyone,” Marotta began his tribute to the former Juventus and Italian national team hero in an interview with Italian broadcaster Sky Sport.

“Scirea was a captain on and off the field, he had all values ​​that served him well to become a leader in the eyes of his teammates. He also transmitted those values ​​to his son Riccardo, whom I had as a colleague at Juve.”

Scirea is widely regarded as one of the finest defenders to have ever played football and died aged just 36 in a car accident whilst he was on a scouting mission in Poland for his beloved Bianconeri, who he made close to 400 appearances for over a 14 year spell.

Scirea also represented Atalanta during his playing career and was part of Italy’s 1982 World Cup winning squad.