Pep Guardiola pays touching tribute to ‘charismatic’ Gianluca Vialli

Pep Guardiola paid tribute to Gianluca Vialli, describing him as a ‘unique’ and ‘charismatic’ person who improved everyone’s ‘life’.

The former Italy, Juventus and Chelsea striker passed away this Friday at the age of 58 after battling pancreatic cancer since 2017.

Guardiola said he was “lucky” to have met Vialli on the golf course and recalled the “incredible conversation” he had with the much-loved Italian.

Man City boss Pep Guardiola paid tribute to Gianluca Vialli after he passed away on Friday.

Guardiola described Vialli as a ‘unique’ and ‘charismatic’ person during his press conference after Manchester City’s 4-0 win over Chelsea.

The Spanish manager said: ‘On behalf of Manchester City, to his wife and children, a great loss. Hard to find a more charismatic person.

The former Italy, Juventus and Chelsea striker (above) died on Friday at the age of 58 after battling pancreatic cancer since 2017

Fans left flowers outside Stamford Bridge on Friday after learning of Vialli’s untimely passing

‘I was lucky to have met him on a golf course with his ‘Vailli e Mauro’ foundation. And I’m pretty sure Massino Mauro will carry on his legacy for the rest.

‘In life you realize how, as a footballer, as a life. I know how, I would say, you take care of your body, his life and everything.

‘You realize that in the end our life is a currency. Sometimes it goes one way and sometimes it goes the other.

‘I want to sincerely thank the Italian team. Especially Roberto Mancini for the last three years in the national team when they won the Euro Cup and being a part of that because I know he did it. [Vialli] Feeling alive. She made him feel like ‘I’m still a part of it.’

The Italian striker joined Chelsea in 1996 before taking over as player-manager in 1999

‘It’s hard to find a person who can talk like I’m talking about the charisma he has. It’s unstoppable.

‘Yes, the last time I remember it was on a golf course in Majorca. We played and got late one day.

‘We were hungry together and we started eating cheese and salami and all that kind of stuff. It was an incredible conversation that we had.

He explained to me how he was fighting. And sadly, she passed away a few days ago.

Guardiola thanked Roberto Mancini for making Vialli ‘feel alive’ by winning the Eurocup

‘But, I saw this guy here this week in Italy. the reactions It has happened because he was quite something unique.

‘He will not be forgotten. We have to remember him with a bigger smile because what he has done is improve our lives.

‘On behalf of all the organisations, Manchester City and all the clubs. For his family and friends, a great loss. ‘