Gianluca Vialli dead – Chelsea and Italy legend dies aged 58 after battle with cancer
CHELSEA star Gianluca Vialli has died at the age of 58.
He had been receiving treatment for pancreatic cancer for some time.
The Italian was first diagnosed in 2017 before getting the all-clear in 2020.
But sadly, Vialli’s cancer returned a year later.
Last month he was forced to step away from his role with the Italian national team.
Vialli’s mother rushed to be by his side after his condition reportedly worsened at the end of December.
The former sootballer spent most of his career at Sampdoria.
He scored 141 goals in 327 games across eight seasons for the Italians, helping them to a Serie A title, three Italian Cups and the Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup.
Sampdoria was Vialli’s second club after Cremonense, who he left in 1984 after 25 goals in 113 games.
Vialli’s third side was Juventus, after he joined in 1992.
The ex-forward netted 53 times in 145 games while winning one title, one Italian Cup, a Uefa Cup and one Champions League.
Vialli then signed for Chelsea in 1996 and scored 40 goals in 88 games, winning the FA Cup, League Cup and Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup.
He made his final appearance in 1999, but continued managing Chelsea after becoming player-manager the year before.
Vialli lasted until 2000, when he was sacked just five games into the new season.
His one and only other managerial role came in 2001 at Watford, where he spent a single year before being axed.
Vialli’s latest venture saw him working as delegation chief with Italy, having scored 16 goals in 59 games for his country as a player.
Vialli was part of Roberto Mancini’s backroom which won Euro 2020 against England, but he was forced to step away in December to deal with his cancer battle.
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