Gianluca Vialli, the former Italy and Juventus striker, has died aged 58 following a long and difficult fight with pancreatic cancer. The former Chelsea striker and manager was initially diagnosed with pancreatic cancer six years ago. In 2020 he revealed he had been given the all-clear, but was diagnosed with it again in 2021, not long after the Italian national football team won the 2020 UEFA European Football Championship.
Gianluca Vialli had to leave his role with Italy last month, due to the need to undergo treatment for the disease. The striker played for Cremonese, Sampdoria and Juventus in the 1980s and 1990s before moving to the Premier League to play for Chelsea in 1996. Two years later he became player-manager of the Blues after Ruud Gullit left the club and that season he helped Chelsea win the League Cup, UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
He ended his playing career following the 1998-99 season but kept his role of manager and the English side won the FA Cup and Charity Shield in 2000 under the Italian, before leaving the club the following year.
Gianluca Vialli played 59 times for the Italian national football team, scoring 16 goals, and in the last few years he has been the national side’s head of delegation. As part of Italy’s back-room staff, the Azzurri won Euro 2020 with victory over England in the final that was held at the Wembley stadium in July 2021.
Show your support for Scuderia Ferrari with official merchandise collection! Click here to enter the F1 online Store and shop securely! And also get your F1 tickets for every race with VIP hospitality and unparalleled insider access. Click here for the best offers to support Charles and Carlos from the track!
Former Ferrari boss and current Formula 1 chief executive officer Stefano Domenicali has paid tribute to an “incredible man” and “amazing talent” after the news of Gianluca Vialli’s death:
“We have lost an incredible man with the passing of Gianluca Vialli. He was an amazing talent – kind, caring and generous with a love for life. He was a friend and I will miss him hugely. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very sad time.” – Stefano Domenicali said, in a post on social media from the official F1 Media account.
Leave a Reply