East Italy Striker Gianluca Vialli has died at the age of 58. Viali plays for Chelsea A stellar career Before becoming the manager of the club, he was undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer.
Vialli started his career at his hometown club Cremonese before starring in Serie A For Sampdoria and Juventus, and ended his playing career at Chelsea before moving into management and coaching. He scored 16 goals in 59 appearances for Italy and featured in the match Azzurriof the 1986 and 1990 World Cup teams.
In recent weeks it was announced that Vialli would step down from his role as head of delegation Italy team to focus on treating pancreatic cancer.
He was reunited with head coach Roberto Mancini late in the Italy set-up. Sampdoria strike partner, and Vialli hoped he would be able to resume his national-team role.
Vialli announced that he underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy in November 2018, a year before the cancer was diagnosed. He was initially given the all clear in April 2020, but in December 2021 he announced that the disease had returned.
Explaining his decision to suspend his Italy engagement, Vialli said on December 14: “The goal is to use all my psycho-physical energies to help my body overcome this stage of the disease, so as to be able to face new adventures as soon as possible. Share them with all of you.”
Written on Friday at Sampdoria Emotional article: “You gave us a lot, we gave you a lot: yes, it was love, mutual, infinite. A love that will not die today with you. We will continue to love and adore you because – you know – you are better than Pele. And Because, despite everything, our beautiful weather is destined to never end.
They added: “We will remember you as a lad and a tireless centre-forward, because The heroes are all young and handsome And you, since that summer of 1984, have been our hero. Strong and beautiful, with the 9 printed on the back and the Italian flag sewn into the heart.
Chelsea tweeted: “You will be missed by many. A legend for us and all of football. Rest in peace, Gianluca Vialli.