Italian Football Legend, Gianluca Vialli, Dies at 58

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Gianluca Vialli, the former Italy, Chelsea and Juventus striker, has died at the age of 58.

Vialli, who’s death comes just weeks after Sinisa Mihajlovic and Brazilian legend Pele, passed away last night surrounded by his family following a five-year cancer battle. 

“We thank the many who have supported him over the years with their affection. The memory of him and his example will live forever in our hearts,” his family wrote in a statement.

He represented the Azzurri in the 1986 and 1990 World Cups, won the Champions League with Juventus in 1996 and gained popularity in England during a short spell at Stamford Bridge.

Vialli would serve as Chelsea’s player-manager and then manager, leading them to the European Cup Winners’ Cup and the League Cup in 1998, plus the FA Cup in 2000.

Following the news, Chelsea tweeted in tribute, “You’ll be missed by so many. A legend to us and to all of football. Rest in peace, Gianluca Vialli.”

His final role in football came with the Italy national team and he played a role in guiding them to win the 2020 European Championship in England. 

On December 14 he had to step away from the role due to the aggressive return of cancer. 

In his final public statement he said he hoped his absence from the national team was “temporary”. 

“At the end of a long and difficult negotiation with my wonderful team of oncologists I have decided to suspend, I hope temporarily, my present and future professional commitments,” he said.

‘The goal is to use all the psycho-physical energies to help my body overcome this phase of the disease, so that I will be able as soon as possible to face new adventures and share them with all of you.’

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