>
‘A warrior who never stopped fighting’: Football fans around the world mourn the loss of former Italy and Chelsea striker Gianluca Vialli after his death aged 58 after a long battle with cancer
Football fans around the world have paid tribute to ‘Italian game legend’ Gianluca Vialli, who died at the age of 58 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
The death of the former Italy and Chelsea striker comes just three weeks after he stepped down as Italy manager, and also comes after the soccer world recently mourned the loss of Sinisa Mihajlovic and Brazilian legend Pele.
After Vialli’s death, there has been great grief on social media over the death of the latest soccer icon.
Gianluca Vialli, pictured celebrating Italy’s Euro 2020 semi-final victory against Spain, has died at the age of 58 after a long battle with cancer.
Football fans paid tribute to ‘icon’ Vialli who died surrounded by his family in a London hospital
One fan paid tribute to Vialli, saying: “A legend of the Italian game, a pioneer of the English game and a warrior who would not stop fighting until his last day.” Rest in peace, Gianluca Vialli’.
Another heartfelt tribute said: ‘It is very sad to hear news about Gianluca Vialli this morning. One of the foreign stars that we, of a certain age, idolized growing up with Italian football in C4. He later discovered that he was not only a great player but a tremendous man. Dignified, intelligent well informed. RIP #Vialli’.
Meanwhile, a third said: ‘This is desperately sad news. Vialli was an icon for many of those who watched football in the 90s and what a player. RIP Gianluca.
And a fourth added: ‘Another tragic loss of a legend. Goodbye Gianluca Vialli’.
While another said: ‘Sad news about the brilliant #Vialli player. 58 is not age.
Vialli represented the Azzurri at the 1986 and 1990 World Cups, won the Champions League with Juventus in 1996 and rose to prominence in England for a brief spell at Stamford Bridge.
Vialli celebrates with Dennis Wise after Chelsea beat Stuttgart in the 1998 European Cup Winners’ Cup final
Fans were devastated to learn of the Chelsea legend’s death and one even recalled seeing him at a practice ground in Chiswick, west London.
Vialli would go on to serve as player-manager and then manager of Chelsea, leading them to the European Cup Winners’ Cup and the League Cup in 1998, as well as the FA Cup in 2000.
Another fan paid tribute, saying: ‘What a player Vialli was. One of the first that I can remember correctly growing up. That Chelsea era had some proper players. Vialli, Zola, Flo, Desailly. RIP.’
Meanwhile, a Chelsea fan tweeted: ‘RIP Gianluca Vialli. An absolute legend of Chelsea Football Club. Thanks for everything my boss.’
One fan even recalled memories with Vialli, posting: ‘Gianluca Vialli 58. Awful. Rip Luca. He used to see him at the Chiswick driving range, lovely chap.
Vialli was diagnosed with the disease for a second time in 2021, having been cleared in April 2020 after a 17-month struggle.
On December 14, he had to withdraw from his role with Italy due to the aggressive return of cancer.
After his condition worsened in the weeks leading up to Christmas, his family rushed to his side at a London hospital where he died on Thursday night.