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Gianluca Vialli, former Italy, Chelsea and Juventus striker, has died at the age of 58.
Vialli, whose death comes just weeks after Sinisa Mihajlovic and Brazilian legend Pelé, passed away last night surrounded by family after a five-year battle with cancer.
‘We thank the many who have supported him over the years with their affection. The memory of him and his example will live forever in our hearts,’ his family wrote in a statement.
Gianluca Vialli, pictured on duty in Italy in September, has died at the age of 58 from cancer.
Vialli was a key figure in Italy’s run to win Euro 2020, serving as head of delegation.
Vialli was a prolific striker for Sampdoria and Juventus in Italy, then Chelsea in England.
He 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 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.
Following the news, Chelsea tweeted in tribute: “You will be missed by many.” A legend for us and for all football. Rest in peace, Gianluca Vialli.
His death follows a battle with pancreatic cancer, with his condition worsening in the week before Christmas and family rushing to his side in a London hospital.
Sampdoria fans also showed their support until the end, as they hung a banner of support in front of the London hospital where he was being treated.
Fans left a support banner outside the hospital where Vialli was being treated.
Vialli was diagnosed with the disease for a second time in 2021, having been cleared in April 2020 after a 17-month struggle.
Last year, a candid Vialli opened up about how ‘fragile’ he was and how he never believed he would win a battle against cancer.
“I was a player and a strong but also fragile man and I think someone who could recognize himself. I am here with my defects, fears and desire to do something important,’ said Vialli.
“I’m not having a battle with cancer because I don’t think I can win it, it’s a much stronger opponent for me.
Cancer is an unwanted travel companion, but I can’t help it. He got on the train with me and I have to keep going, traveling with my head down, never giving up, hoping that one day this unwanted guest will get tired and let me live in peace for many more years because there are still many things I want. do.’
He was working on Roberto Mancini’s coaching staff during Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph last year, but recently stepped down to focus on his latest fight against cancer.
Born in the Lombardy town of Cremona, Vialli began his playing career with local club Cremonese, helping them win promotion to Serie B, Italy’s second division.
His goalscoring ability soon attracted the attention of Sampdoria, where his prolific goalscoring partnership with Mancini (they were nicknamed ‘The Goal Twins’) helped the club win its first Serie A championship in 1990-91.
Vialli (right) and Roberto Mancini (left) were known as ‘The Goal Twins’ at Sampdoria
The couple embrace after Italy defeated England on penalties in the Euro 2020 final last year.
Vialli lifts the Champions League after Juventus beat Ajax on penalties in the 1996 final
Vialli was the league’s top scorer that season with 19 and his backflip celebration became commonplace.
It was a golden age for Sampdoria, who also won three Italian Cups and the European Cup Winners’ Cup during Vialli’s tenure there.
They also reached the final of the European Cup in 1992, but lost 1-0 to Barcelona at Wembley.
Juventus signed Vialli for a world record fee of £12.5 million in 1992 and his success continued with triumphs in the UEFA Cup, Serie A and the Italian Cup.
But the highlight came when Juventus defeated Ajax in the 1996 Champions League final, when he teamed up with Alessandro Del Piero and Fabrizio Ravanelli in a formidable attacking force.
Vialli triumphed in all his clubs as a player, but with Juventus he won the Champions League in 1996 after losing the 1992 final against Sampdoria.
He was tempted by Chelsea that summer as Ruud Gullit built the Blues from mid-table anonymity to a trophy-winning side.
However, his relationship with Gullit was rocky and Vialli only got a five-minute cameo appearance when Chelsea won the 1997 FA Cup Final by beating Middlesbrough.
Vialli celebrates with Dennis Wise after Chelsea beat Stuttgart in the 1998 European Cup Winners’ Cup final
When the Dutchman was sacked in early 1998, the 33-year-old Vialli was appointed player-manager in his place.
Success followed almost immediately in the League Cup and then the European Cup Winners’ Cup, with Chelsea beating Stuttgart 1-0 in the final.
Retiring from playing at the end of the 1998-99 season with a career scoring record of 259 goals in 673 club games, Vialli was able to focus solely on his Chelsea managerial duties.
They won the FA Cup in 2000, beating Aston Villa 1-0 in the last final played at the original Wembley Stadium.
But that joy was short-lived and he was fired five games into the 2000-01 campaign after poor results and fights with the likes of Gianfranco Zola and Didier Deschamps.
Vialli briefly managed Watford after that, but did not return to management, instead working as a commentator for Sky Italia and a pundit on other channels.
Chelsea were a successful cup team under Vialli, winning the League Cup in 1998
They also lifted the FA Cup in 2000 in the last final that was played at the original Wembley
He represented Italy 59 times at senior level, scoring 16 times. Vialli was named in the Euro ’88 team of the tournament after Italy reached the semifinals.
He also played in the 1990 World Cup on home soil, but was unable to produce the goals expected of him when Italy lost on penalties to Argentina in the semi-finals.
In 2019, Vialli was appointed head of the Italian national team delegation under head coach and friend Mancini.
He played a significant role behind the scenes in their Euro 2020 triumph, achieved when they beat England on penalties at Wembley in July last year.