Former Italian striker Gianluca Vialli, who won Serie A and European trophies with Sampdoria and Juventus and coached Chelsea, has died. he is 58 years old.
The Italian Football Federation confirmed Vialli’s death on Friday.
Vialli announced in 2018 that he had survived a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer, but then announced in December 2021 that the disease had returned.
Vialli announced in mid-December that he was temporarily stepping down as head of the Italian national team due to his deteriorating health.
Federation president Gabriele Gravina expressed his “deep sadness”, noting that Vialli’s sporting success was due to his “extraordinary human qualities”.
Vialli was appointed head of the delegation to his longtime friend and former teammate, Azzurri coach Roberto Mancini.
The duo, who played together at Sampdoria, were dubbed the ‘Goal Gemeri’ and led the Genoese club to their only Serie A title in 1991 and their only European title in 1990, winning four Cup Winners’ Cup and Italian Cup trophies. obtained one.
Vialli and Mancini also helped Sampdoria reach the 1992 European Cup final, where they were beaten by Barcelona at Wembley Stadium.
Vialli reunited with Mancini as head coach and helped Italy win the European Championship in 2021 with a penalty shootout win over England at Wembley.
“We have a relationship that goes far beyond friendship,” Mancini said during the Euros. “He’s like a real brother”
Vialli’s death comes three weeks after fellow Serie A star Sinisha Mihajlović died untimely after a long battle with leukemia. Mihajlovic also played under Mancini at Sampdoria after Vialli’s move to Juventus.
Vialli won another Serie A title with Juventus, as well as the Champions League and UEFA Cup trophies.
“Juventus said in a statement: ‘We feel such a strong sense of loss. ‘We will always be with you, Gianluca’. Ever since you arrived in 1992, I fell in love at first sight.
your smile, being a star and a leader on the pitch and in the dressing room, your loveable streak, your culture, your grace and what you showed all the way to the last day in your black and white stripes. I loved everything”.
Vialli played for Italy from 1985 to 1992, making 59 appearances and scoring 16 goals.
He ended his playing career winning the FA Cup, League Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup with Chelsea. After leaving Chelsea, he lived in London and worked as a television commentator.
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