Before playing for and coaching Chelsea, the ex-Italian international won every conceivable prize in Italian club football. Five years ago, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and received the all-clear in 2020, but he later relapsed.
Gianluca Vialli, a former player and manager for Chelsea, passed away at the age of 58 after a battle with cancer.
Before being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer five years ago, the Italian played for and managed the London club.
Between 1996 and 1999, he scored 40 goals in 88 games for Chelsea. Becoming one of the club’s most beloved players.
As a manager, he won three major trophies during his tenure at Stamford Bridge, beginning with the League Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup in his first few months in charge.
In 2000, he added the FA Cup to his collection of trophies.
Before joining Chelsea, Vialli won every Italian club championship while playing for Sampdoria and Juventus.
He leaves behind his wife and daughters.
When he transferred from the former to the latter for £12.5 million, he set a new world record transfer fee.
He earned 59 international caps for Italy, scored 16 goals, and participated in both the 1986 and 1990 World Cups.
More recently, he joined Roberto Mancini’s coaching staff with the national team. Guiding them to victory in the European Championships having been given the all-clear from cancer in 2020.
He was re-diagnosed with the condition in 2021. And announced his resignation as the head of the Italian national team delegation this month.
On 14 December, Vialli explained his decision to cease his involvement with Italy, stating, “The goal is to use all my psycho-physical energies to assist my body to overcome this phase of the sickness so that I can soon face new adventures and share them with all of you.”
Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera
According to the Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera, his mother Maria Teresa, 87. And brother Nino traveled to be with Vialli in a London hospital before Christmas.
Graeme Souness, who played alongside Vialli at Sampdoria, paid respect to him.
Visibly moved, he stated: “I cannot express how terrific a person he was. Forget about football, he was simply a beautiful soul.
“He was an absolute pleasure to be around. He was such a jovial, mischievous, talented footballer, and affable individual.
“People will, and properly so, comment on his tremendous football ability, but what a human being he is! My condolences go out to his family; his children were privileged to have such a father. And his wife was blessed to be married to such a man.”
Georgia Meloni, the prime minister of Italy, tweeted: “We will never forget your goals. Your iconic bicycle kicks, and the joy and emotion. You brought to the entire nation during your embrace with Mancini following the European Championship victory. However, we shall not forget the individual in particular. To God Gianluca Vialli, the Lion King on and off the field.”
The Italian FA has declared that a minute of silence will be observed before all weekend games.
