The former Sampdoria and Juventus player died after a long illness at the age of 58, the Samp club announced on Friday.
Former Italian international striker Gianluca Vialli, who had been battling pancreatic cancer for several years, has died aged 58, his former club Sampdoria Genoa announced on Friday.
“We will remember you as a boy and a relentless centre-forward“, in particular wrote the club on its website. The former Italian international distinguished himself above all in the jersey of the Genoese club, winning the title of Italian champion (1991) and the Cup Cup (1990) while reaching the final of the Champions League (1992). He was also assistant to Italian coach Roberto Mancini during the Nazionale victory at Euro 2021.
“He’s an undesirable travel companion, but I have to move forward, (…) never letting go, hoping he gets tired and lets me live for a lot more time,” Vialli told the newspaper. about his illness in a documentary broadcast by Rai in 2021.
Besides Sampdoria, Vialli had also worn the colors of Juventus (1992-1996) then Chelsea (1996-1999), where he continued to add lines to his list, including victories in the Champions League (1996) and in the UEFA Cup (1993) with the Bianconeri, and another Cup of the Cups with Chelsea in 1998. These two former clubs also paid tribute to him.
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With the national team (59 caps, 16 goals), Vialli had obtained 3rd place in the World Cup in 1990 at home and had reached the semi-finals of Euro-88. The quadruple world champions’ Twitter account paid tribute to him: “Ciao Gianluca, you will be remembered forever”.