Paolo Rossi's home is burgled during his FUNERAL with a watch and cash stolen

Burglars broke into the home of Paolo Rossi during his funeral service on Saturday, local reports say.

Rossi, the star of Italy's successful 1982 World Cup campaign, tragically passed away at the age of 64 and was laid to rest in the north-eastern city of Vicenza.

His wife, Federica Cappelletti returned home from the ceremony to find a watch belonging to Rossi and cash had been stolen from their home in Tuscany.

The robbery has since been reported to the police, and an investigation is currently taking place.

According to Italian TV channel RAI Sport, for whom Rossi had been working for as a pundit recently, the Italian star passed away after battling a long illness.

Rossi's coffin was carried to the Santa Maria Annunciata cathedral by his former team-mates Marco Tardelli, Giancarlo Antognoni, Antonio Cabrini and Fulvio Collovati.

Collovati was among one of those who spoke fondly of his memories with Rossi during the service.

He said: 'I have not only lost a team-mate, but also a friend and a brother.

'Together we fought, we won, and we sometimes lost, always picking ourselves up even in the face of disappointment. We were part of a group, that group, our group. I didn't think he would leave so soon.'

Prior to the funeral, Rossi's coffin was placed at the Stadio Romeo Menti in Vicenza - where he first made a name for himself - to allow fans to pay their respects.

Thousands flocked to the city's football stadium to lay flowers and pay their final respects to the football icon.

Rossi had a prolific club career - winning two Serie A titles, one European Cup and one Coppa Italia while playing for Juventus.

However, it was his contribution to the national team that established him as a football hero - having scored six goals that led his country to victory in Spain 38 years ago.

During his time in an Italian shirt from 1977-1986, Rossi scored a total of 20 goals and claimed the '82 World Cup.