Gianluca Vialli, Former Chelsea, Juventus and Italy Striker, Dies At 58

A minute's silence will be observed in memory of Vialli before all the matches in Italy that will be played over the weekend.

Italy's assistant coach Gianluca Vialli attends a training session at the Olympic Stadium in Rome on June 10, 2021 on the eve of the UEFA EURO 2020 Group A football match between Turkey and Italy. Former Italian international Gianluca Vialli died, his ex-club Sampdoria said on January 6, 2023. ( Image Source :Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP )

Former Chelsea striker and manager Gianluca Vialli passed away at the age of 58 on Friday. While he was diagnosed with cancer in 2017 and doctors had reportedly declared him cancer free in 2020, he was re-diagnosed with the disease in 2021. He even decided to leave a role with Italy's national football team to focus on his health.  

"Gianluca was a splendid person and he leaves a void that cannot be filled," Italian Football Federation (FIGC) Gabriele Gravina said in a statement.

"I hoped until the end that he would be able to perform another miracle. Yet I am comforted by the certainty that what he did for Italian football and the blue shirt will never be forgotten."

Meanwhile, the FIGC has confirmed that a minute's silence will be observed in memory of Vialli before all the matches in Italy that will be played over the weekend.

We won't forget your 141 goals , your overhead kicks, your cashmere shirts: UC Sampdoria

It is worth highlighting that Vialli made his debut with Italy in 1985, a year after he joined Sampdoria with whom he went to clinch the league title as well as the European Winners' Cup during his eight-year stay with them.

"We won't forget your 141 goals , your overhead kicks, your cashmere shirts, your earring, your platinum blonde hair, your Ultras bomber jacket. You gave us so much, we gave you so much: yes, it was love, reciprocal, infinite. A love that will not die today with you,"  Sampdoria said in a statement.

 Vialli later went on to win the Champions League, UEFA Cup and Serie A titles with Juventus.

"We loved everything about you, absolutely everything - your smile, your being a star and leader at the same time, on the pitch and in the dressing room, your adorable swashbuckling ways, your culture, your class, which you showed until the last day in the black and white stripes," Juve's official statement read.

He joined Chelsea in 1996 as a player and as a player-manager in 1998. He, in fact, was the first Italian to manage a Premier League side.

 "A brilliant striker, a trophy-winning manager and a wonderful man, Luca's place in the pantheon of Chelsea greats is assured. He will be deeply missed," Chelsea's official statement read.