Chronicle
Italian football mourns the loss of former international Gianluca Vialli. The former striker died on Friday at the age of 58, the family said in a statement. Vialli was most recently head of delegation for the national team and thus assistant to team boss Robert Mancini. The two former teammates had led Italy to the European title in 2021.
Vialli was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a few years ago, and the disease returned last year. In mid-December he announced that he would be suspending his duties in the association for the time being because of his cancer treatment. Mancini was deeply shocked by the death. “We had a relationship that goes way beyond friendship. He was like a brother to me,” explained the 58-year-old Mancini.
Vialli grew up with Cremonese and had his greatest successes at Sampdoria Genoa (1991 champion, 1990 European Cup winner), Juventus Turin (1996 Champions League winner, 1993 UEFA Cup and 1995 champion) and Chelsea (1997 Cup winner, 1997 European Cup winner). Cup winner 1998) celebrated. In the Italian national team he scored 16 goals in 59 international matches. At the home World Cup in 1990, he finished third with the “Squadra Azzurra”. After retiring as a player, Vialli stayed in England and coached Chelsea and Watford.
“I am deeply saddened,” Italian Football Federation (FIGC) boss Gabriele Gravina said in a statement on Friday. “I hoped to the last that he could perform another miracle. But I am comforted by the knowledge that what he did for Italian football and the blue jersey will never be forgotten.” The FIGC has ordered a minute’s silence before all Serie A games on the coming matchday.
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