Tear scene after EM victory in 2021 will not be forgotten: Italy legend Vialli dies at the age of 58
Created: 01/06/2023Updated: 01/06/2023 11:44 am
By: Andreas Knobloch
Gianluca Vialli has died.
He won the EM with Italy in 2021 as part of the coaching staff.
© IMAGO/www.imagephotoagency.it
Gianluca Vialli is dead. The Italian football legend died at the age of just 58.
Pancreatic cancer was diagnosed a few years ago.
Rome – 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 national coach Robert Mancini.
In mid-December, he announced that he would be putting his duties in the association on hold for the time being due to cancer treatment.
Mourning for football legend Gianluca Vialli – the association finds emotional words
Vialli was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a few years ago.
After recovering from pancreatic cancer, the former striker has been battling another tumor in recent weeks.
The ex-professional recently won the European Championship title with Italy as a member of the 2021 staff.
As a player, he used to play for US Cremonese, Sampdoria Genoa, Juventus Turin and Chelsea FC.
Between 1985 and 1992 he made 59 appearances for Italy's national team and scored 16 goals.
"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.
Unforgettable scene between Vialli and Robert Mancini after the European Championship victory in London
The tear scene after winning the 2021 European Championship final with his friend Roberto Mancini will probably not be forgotten.
The Italian national coach played alongside Vialli when he was still playing and the two share a deep friendship.
Chelsea FC, his ex-club, also commented on the death of their former player.
"You will be missed by so many.
A legend with us and for the whole of football.
Rest in peace, Gianluca Vialli,” writes the English first division club on his Twitter channel.
The Italian club US Cremonese posted a highlight video of Vialli, who was blessed with curly hair at the time.
Vialli drew attention to himself at the small club from Lombardy and finally switched to Sampdoria.
Companions express their sadness at the death of the football legend.
Vialli will forever be linked to world football.
(ank with dpa and SID)
