Italy’s football legend Gianluca Vialli is dead. The former attacker died at the age of 58 after a serious illness.
In 2017, Vialli was shocked to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He then had to undergo eight months of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation. Vialli is said to have lost around 15 kilos as a result of the chemotherapy.
In November 2018 he made his illness public.
Previously, Vialli tried to hide his illness by always wearing a sweater under his shirt.
Vialli has been team coordinator of the Italian national team since November 2019 and led Italy to the 2021 European Championship title with his friend and national coach Roberto Mancini (58). Together with him, he celebrated the championship in 1991 with the Italian club Sampdoria Genoa. In 328 games he scored 141 goals for Genoa and, in addition to the championship title, also had other successes: 4 times cup winner, champion and super cup winner.
In 1996, Vialli won the handle pot with Juve – before going to the island.
Italy legend Gianluca Vialli stretches the pot after beating Ajax Amsterdam in the final with Juve
As coach and player-coach of Chelsea FC between 1998 and 2000 he led the club to five coveted titles: English League Cup Winners (1998), European Cup Winners’ Cup (1998), Uefa Supercup Winner (1999), English Cup Winners (2000), English Super Cup Winner. Previously, Vialli also played for Juventus Turin and Sampdoria Genoa during his playing career.
The Italian legend Gianluca Vialli starts the overhead kick
Because of his illness, he announced in December 2022 that he would have to retire from office from now on.
On December 14, 2022, Vialli said: “The goal is to use all my psycho-physical energy to help my body to overcome this phase of the disease, to be able to face new adventures again soon, possible and share them with all of you .”
Things seemed to be looking good in April 2020. But then the insidious disease quickly returned.
Gianluca Vialli’s family now confirm the death of the former world champion, who died on Thursday night. “It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Gianluca Vialli. We thank the many who have supported him with their affection over the years. His memory and example will live on in our hearts forever.”
In the end he lost the battle with cancer.