Livescore
Football is again in mourning. Gianluca Vialli (Cremona, Italy, 1964) passed away on Friday, January 6, at the age of 58.
The legendary Italian striker who played for Cremonese (where he started), Sampdoria, Juventus and Chelsea had been battling pancreatic cancer since 2017, which had become more complicated of late.
In fact, before being re-admitted in London, Vialli, who was the Head of Delegation of the Italian national soccer team, had informed the FIGC and the press that he was going to be absent for Italy’s next matches (March 2023) in order to start a new phase of treatment that would take place in London, where he was accompanied by his closest family.
As a footballer, Gianluca Vialli achieved almost everything a striker can dream of. International for Italy, top scorer in Serie A in 1990/91, Serie A winner twice (with Sampdoria and Juventus), UEFA Cup and Champions League winner.
He was part of the best Sampdoria side in history together with one of his best friends: Roberto Mancini. Together, they were known as the ‘Goal Twins’ and led the Blucerchiati to an incredibly Serie A title, three Coppa Italia and the European Cup final at Wembley final against Barcelona. He then went to Juventus and finished his career in the Premier League, at Chelsea. He scored 259 goals for his clubs and 16 for Italy.
Vialli’s lessons
“I’m afraid of dying. I don’t know, when the light goes out, what will be on the other side…. But in a way, I’m also excited to know. Illness is not just suffering: there are beautiful moments. Illness can teach you a lot about how you are,” Vialli said in March 2022.
Before the European Championship, Vialli made it clear how he faced the disease.
“I could not fight cancer, it is an opponent much stronger than me,” Vialli said. “I consider it a fellow traveler, albeit an unwanted one, who got on the train and sat next to me…. Hopefully, it will tire and go away.”
That appeared to have happened, but the illness returned.
Coaching in England
After hanging up his boots, he became a coach… and started where he left off playing: at Chelsea. His record was not bad at all with the Londoners: a European Cup Winners’ Cup, an FA Cup, a League Cup, a European Super Cup and a Community Shield.
He coached Chelsea for 133 games between 1997 and 2001. He then ended his short-lived coaching career at Watford with 51 games in the 2001/02 season. After that, nothing more.
Euro 2021
However, life had one last joy in store for Vialli. In November 2019, his friend Roberto Mancini called him to join his staff in charge of Italy. He would be the Head of Delegation of the Italian national team and would be part of the group at Euro 2020.
One of the lasting memories of Vialli will be his emotional embrace with Mancini on the pitch at Wembley after Italy beat England to win that European Championship
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