‘Thanks for everything’: Italian media pays emotional tribute to Azzurri legend and ‘genius’ Gianluca Vialli, who died at 58 after a battle with pancreatic cancer
Italian media are mourning former Juventus, Sampdoria and Italian striker Gianluca Vialli after he died at the age of 58 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Vialli was first diagnosed with cancer in 2017, but announced in April 2020 that she was fully recovered. However, he left his Italian squad post in December 2021 as the cancer returned, and after being admitted to hospital in London, he died Thursday night surrounded by his family last month.
Vialli’s career was a glorious one. One of his career highlights was when he captained Juventus in 1996 and won his league glory in the Champions League.
Tuttosport paid tribute to Vialli with the headline “Thank you, for everything”, and Corriere dello Sport used an image of Vialli and Roberto Mancini hugging each other.
Vialli headed the delegation and was a key figure in Italy’s bid to win Euro 2020.
La Gazzetta dello Sport called Vialli a ‘genius friend’ after his death
Tuttosport published an image of Vialli lifting the trophy in triumph on its front page on Saturday morning, with the caption “Thanks for everything”.
Vialli also enjoyed great success with Sampdoria, winning the Coppa Italia three times and winning the club’s first and only Serie A title in 1991.
For his extraordinary performance at Sampdoria, Juventus paid him a world record £12.5million in 1992. He spent his four years at the Bianconeri, winning another Scudetto, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup before ending his playing career at Chelsea.
Vialli has also represented Italy in two World Cups and in 2019 was reinstated to the national team founded by his longtime friend Roberto Mancini to join the former Manchester City manager’s backroom staff. rice field.
Together they led Italy to glory at Euro 2020, and the two shared an emotional hug after beating England on penalties in the final at Wembley.
As a player, Vialli enjoyed success at every club, but Juventus won the Champions League in 1996 before losing the final to Sampdoria in 1992.
Vialli (right) and Roberto Mancini (left) were known in Sampdoria as the “goal twins”
Corriere dello Sport chose the image on the front page and chose “Hug Forever” as the headline.
Italy’s victory in the postponed Euros was an important moment for Vialli as he struggled to return to the dugout from cancer treatment.
Vialli was a very popular figure in the Italian dressing room, endeared by players and fellow coaches. La Gazzetta dello Sport summed him up on its cover as “a friend of genius” and Vialli held the euro high and smiled. Trophy.
The paper also referred to him as a “champion” player and man, highlighting how he was loved both on and off the pitch.
His family first confirmed his death on Friday, writing: His memory and his example will live forever in our hearts. ”
Fans left banners of support outside the hospital where Vialli was being treated.
He represented Italy in the 1986 and 1990 World Cups, won the Champions League with Juventus in 1996, and became a favorite in England during his brief stint at Stamford Bridge.
Vialli was Chelsea’s player-manager and manager, leading the team to the European Cup Winners’ Cup and League Cup in 1998 and the FA Cup in 2000.
Following the news, Chelsea tweeted: “You will be missed by many. A legend to us and to all football. Rest in peace Gianluca Vialli.
Chelsea chairman Todd Boley and partner Behdad Egbari said: “It’s a really bad day for Chelsea Football Club.
“The legend of Gianluca lives on at Stamford Bridge.
“His impact as a player, coach and above all as a person will be forever etched in the history of our club. My heart goes out to his family and friends.”
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