For five years, the Italian football player and coach battled pancreatic cancer.
The renowned Italian ex-forward died in London late Friday night, accompanied by family members.
“We want to thank everyone who has helped Gianluca throughout the years. His memories and example will live on in our hearts forever.”
The family of Gianluca Vialli
The former Cremonese, Sampdoria, Juventus, and Chelsea striker was diagnosed with cancer for the first time in 2017. Doctors identified additional malignant pancreatic growths in his body in 2021.
Ciao Gianluca, you will forever be remembered ? pic.twitter.com/5IDKMTSZaL
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) January 6, 2023
Vialli was a member of the Italian national team from 1985 until 1992. In 59 appearances with The Azzuri, the forward has scored 16 goals. Vialli earned the world championship silver medal with the Italian national team in 1990. A dispute with head coach Arrigo Sacchi ended the football player’s squad career just in 1992.
He began his coaching career as a player-manager with Chelsea and then managed Watford for one season.
He won the FA Cup, League Cup, Charity Shield, UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, and UEFA Super Cup with Chelsea between 1996 and 2000. Chelsea fired Vialli shortly after the new season began in 2000. The reasons were a poor outcome and dispute with Gianfranco Zola, Didier Deschamps, and Dan Petrescu.
Vialli has won titles with Sampdoria and Juventus in his Italian career:
- Serie A twice
- Italia Cup four times
- Super Copa twice
- UEFA Champions League
- UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup
