Who are Gianluca Vialli’s children?
ON January 6, 2023, the football world was left devastated after the passing of Chelsea star Gianluca Vialli was announced.
And Italy are set to wear a one-off kit against England tonight in honour of the Italian legend.
SunSport take a look at the loving family the sporting legend sadly leaves behind.
Who are Gianluca Vialli’s children?
Gianluca Vialli was a doting father to two daughters – Olivia and Sophie.
Not much is known publicly about his children, however, Vialli did open up about the support he received from his daughters during a difficult health battle with cancer.
Speaking to The Times, Vialli said: ”My daughters helped [draw my eyebrows back on].
“And I got my wife advising which [make-up] looks better.
“We laughed. You have to laugh. You need to find the funny side if you can.”
Was Gianluca Vialli married?
Alongside his two children, Vialli also leaves behind his wife, Cathryn White-Cooper.
The couple married on August 23, 2003 – three years after Vialli left Chelsea.
The pair first met during Vialli’s time at Chelsea and a budding romance blossomed.
Despite staying away from the public limelight, White-Cooper was supportive of her husband, who was full of pride as he witnessed Italy win Euro 2020 as head of delegation.
The pair kept their private life out of the public eye so not much is known about his spouse.
She is believed to be a former model and interior decorator.
She too was a constant support during his health battle.
What happened to Gianluca Vialli?
On Friday, January 6, 2023, the Italian sporting legend sadly passed away after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
Vialli, who enjoyed a stellar career with Sampdoria, Juventus and Chelsea, and earned 59 caps for Italy, was first diagnosed in 2017.
He was given the all-clear in 2020 but sadly his pancreatic cancer returned a year later.
In December 2022, he was forced to step away from his role with the Italian national team.
At the time of his departure from the sport, Vialli said: “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.
“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.”
Vialli’s mother, 87, and brother rushed to be by his side in a London hospital after his condition reportedly worsened at the end of December.