Capped 16 times for his country, scoring seven goals, he represented Italian giants Juventus and Inter Milan after beginning his club career at Messina.
It was at Italia 90 where he captivated not only a nation but a watching global audience with six goals, earning the top scorer award, as the host nation reached the semi-finals at the expense of Houghton’s Republic of Ireland side.
“He came late into the Italy squad, and I think he was sub in their first game, came on and scored and ended up top scorer,” Houghton recalled.
“He knew how fortunate he was to get into the squad but once he got his chance, he took it and that was certainly the case in the game against us.
“[Roberto] Donadoni had the with shot, Packie [Bonner] made the save and there was Toto to do what he does best – the poacher in the box to stroke it in to the back of the net to take his team through to the semi-final.
“It was huge for him and huge for Italy, the host nation.”