Sad news shook the world of football. Gianluca Vialli (Cremona, Italy, 1964) passed away at the age of 58. The legendary striker for the Italian team and for clubs like Cremonese, Sampdoria, Juventus and Chelsea had been fighting pancreatic cancer since 2017. His situation had gotten complicated in recent days, so on December 15, 2022 he was forced to leave his position in the Nazionale as head of the delegation.
The news was confirmed by the Italian Football Federation. “Gianluca did not make it, he passed away today at the age of 58 after a long illness, he always fought head-on, with dignity and with the entire blue family to give him strength in a moment of silent but enormous suffering. Italian football is not only in mourning for the head of the national team delegation: it is in mourning for a great man, who had previously been a great striker and an appreciated coach,” the statement outlined.
The FIGC ordered a minute of silence before each of the matches corresponding to date 17 of Serie A as well as the categories of the Italian promotion. “I am deeply saddened. I waited until the end that he could perform another miracle, but I take comfort in the knowledge that what he did for Italian football and the Azzurri will never be forgotten. Without beating around the bush: Gianluca was a splendid person and he leaves a void that cannot be filled, in the national team and in all those who have appreciated his extraordinary human quality”, declared the president Gabriele Gravina.
Vialli, born on July 9, 1964 in Cremona, began his professional career with the Cremonese jersey, before making the leap to Sampdoria in 1984, where he made history by winning a Scudetto, three Italian Cups, a Italian Super Cup, Italy and a Cup Winners’ Cup over eight seasons. He also forged a close friendship with Roberto Mancini. He was also a finalist in the European Cup, where they lost to Barcelona at Wembley.
At Juventus he had another notable step, lifting five trophies in five years: a Scudetto, an Italian Cup, an Italian Super Cup, a UEFA Cup and the 1996 Champions League. His career culminated in 1999, after three years in Chelsea of England (one FA Cup, one League Cup, one Cup Winners’ Cup and one European Super Cup).
With the Nazionale shirt he played 59 games and scored 16 goals. He played in the 1986 World Cups in Mexico (round of 16) and Italy 1990 (third place) and was a semifinalist in the 1988 Euro Cup in West Germany.
