The former Azurra striker and UEFA Cup champion has died after suffering from pancreatic cancer in recent days.
Italian football is in mourning. This Friday the exfubolista Gianluca Vialli died at the age of 58 following complications he had had in recent days due to pancreatic cancer which had affected him since 2017. .
Vialli, who was the head of the Azzurra delegation, had announced a few days ago that he would be absent from the next Italian matches scheduled for March as he would be admitted to a London hospital to begin a new stage of treatment for the disease. , accompanied for his family.
As a footballer, Vialli had a successful career in most of the competitions he faced. In addition to integrating the selection of his country, He became Serie A’s top scorer in the 1990-91 season, he won the local league twice with Sampdoria and Juventus, and he also won the Champions League with Vecchia Signora in 1996, the last for the Bianconeri. .
He also distinguished himself in Samdoria by making an important duo with Roberto Mancini, being nicknamed the “gemelli del gol” (goal twins). Thanks to this, the Genoese club reached the top by becoming champions in 1990-91, reached three Italian Cups . Moreover, he led the Italian team to the 1992 European Cup final, in which they eventually lost to Barcelona at Wembley.
Education
Once diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Vialli was able to reflect on the disease and its possible consequences. “I’m afraid of dying. I don’t know when the light will go out what will be on the other side… But in a way, I’m also glad to know. The disease is not only suffering: there are beautiful moments. Illness can teach you a lot about who you are “, he spoke in march 2022.
“I couldn’t fight cancer, it’s a much stronger opponent than me. I consider him a fellow traveler, albeit an unwanted one, who got on the train and sat next to me…I hope he gets tired and disappears “, he said.
One of his last joys was obtained thanks to his selection. In November 2019, Roberto Mancini, the coach of Italy, invited him to join his coaching staff as the head of the delegation which was part of the European Cup which was finally played in 2021. due to covid.
There, the Azzurra ended up becoming champions after beating England at Wembley, the same scenario that made them sad years ago against Barcelona.
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Source: Latercera
I’m Scott Moore, a professional writer and journalist based in the US. I’ve been writing for various publications for over 8 years now, and have been working as an author at athletistic for the past five years. My work has been featured by some of the leading sports websites and magazines across Europe.
