Former Chelsea and Juventus star Gianluca Vialli dies at 58

Former Chelsea and Juventus star Gianluca Vialli has died at the age of 58 after five years of cancer treatment.

Vialli was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017 and received a second diagnosis in 2021.

A statement from his family on Friday read: “Surrounded by his family, he passed away last night after five years of illness in the face of courage and dignity.

“We are grateful to the many who have lovingly supported him over the years. His memory and his example will live forever in our hearts.”

Vialli was part of the coaching staff that led Italy to Euro 2020 success, but stepped down from his role with the national team in December in order to receive more treatment.

In a Netflix documentary that aired in March 2022, Vialli said, “I know I probably won’t die of old age. I want to live as long as possible, but I feel much more fragile than before. ing.

He described Cancer as a “travel companion” and hoped that after testing his mettle, he would eventually leave him in peace.

“Illness can tell you a lot about who you are, and it drives you to go beyond the superficial ways we live,” he said.

Following Friday’s news, the president of the Italian Football Federation Gabriele Gravina said: “Gianluca is a wonderful person and cannot be buried by the national team and by all those who appreciated his extraordinary human qualities. It left a blank space,” he said.

Vialli first appeared as a young player for local team Cremonese in the third and second tiers of Italy.

He moved to Sampdoria in 1984 and helped them enjoy some of the most successful periods in the club’s history, including winning the Italian Cup three times. In 1990, Vialli scored twice as Sampdoria defeated Anderlecht 2–0 to lift the European Cup Winners’ Cup.

He also played a major role when Sampdoria won their first Serie A league title in 1991, scoring 19 goals.

Vialli left the Genoa-based club in the summer of 1992 for Juventus. There, after a sluggish start, he rediscovered his goal-scoring touch and helped the Turin giants win his Italian league title in 1995 and the following season’s Champions League.

He joined Chelsea on a free transfer in 1996 and became player-manager two years later when Dutchman Ruud Gullit was sacked.

Under Vialli, Chelsea won the League Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup in 1998, and the FA Cup two years later before he was also sacked.

You will miss so many people. A legend for us and for all football.

Rest in peace, Gianluca Vialli. 💙 pic.twitter.com/mNJPDkCSYO

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 6, 2023

His last managerial position was in charge of Watford in the English second division in 2001 and 2002.

In October 2019, Vialli was appointed chief of the new Italian delegation. This meant that he was reunited with his lifelong friend and strike partner, Head his coach Roberto Mancini when he played for Sampdoria, who was known as the ‘goal twin’.

Mancini and Vialli lead the Italians to Euro 2020 and lift the trophy at Wembley Stadium. Their Sampdoria his side had lost to Barcelona in the European Cup final at the same venue 29 years earlier.

In a TV interview with Italy’s RAI in November, the two celebrated with a tearful embrace, saying, “It was more beautiful than the hugs we exchanged when I passed the ball and he scored.”

Vialli has a wife and two daughters.

Information from Reuters contributed to this report.