Former star Italy striker Vialli dies aged 58

Vialli, who enjoyed a stellar career with Sampdoria, Juventus and Chelsea and earned 59 caps for Italy, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017. He was given the all-clear a year later only for the illness to return.

“I know that I probably will not die of old age, I hope to live as long as possible, but I feel much more fragile than before,” Vialli said in a Netflix documentary aired in March 2022.

He described cancer as “a travel companion” that he hoped would eventually leave him in peace, after testing his mettle. “Illness can teach a lot about who you are, and can push you to go beyond the superficial way in which we live,” he said.

Vialli was however forced to step aside from his role as head of a delegation with the Italian national team last month, saying he needed to focus on overcoming a new phase of his disease.

Working with the Italy squad, Vialli had been reunited with national coach Roberto Mancini, a lifelong friend and strike partner when they both played for Sampdoria, where they were known as “the goal twins.”

Vialli and Mancini led the Italians to the Euro 2020 tournament in 2021, lifting the trophy in Wembley Stadium where, 29 years earlier, their Sampdoria team had lost the European Cup final to Barcelona.

They celebrated last year with a tearful embrace that “was more beautiful than the hugs we used to give each other when I passed him the ball and he scored goals,” Vialli said in a TV interview with Italy’s RAI in November.

MILAN — Former Italian soccer star Gianluca Vialli has died from cancer at the age of 58, his former soccer club Sampdoria said on Friday.

Vialli, who enjoyed a stellar career with Sampdoria, Juventus and Chelsea and earned 59 caps for Italy, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017. He was given the all-clear a year later only for the illness to return.

“I know that I probably will not die of old age, I hope to live as long as possible, but I feel much more fragile than before,” Vialli said in a Netflix documentary aired in March 2022.

He described cancer as “a travel companion” that he hoped would eventually leave him in peace, after testing his mettle. “Illness can teach a lot about who you are, and can push you to go beyond the superficial way in which we live,” he said.

Vialli was however forced to step aside from his role as head of a delegation with the Italian national team last month, saying he needed to focus on overcoming a new phase of his disease.

Working with the Italy squad, Vialli had been reunited with national coach Roberto Mancini, a lifelong friend and strike partner when they both played for Sampdoria, where they were known as “the goal twins.”

Vialli and Mancini led the Italians to the Euro 2020 tournament in 2021, lifting the trophy in Wembley Stadium where, 29 years earlier, their Sampdoria team had lost the European Cup final to Barcelona.

They celebrated last year with a tearful embrace that “was more beautiful than the hugs we used to give each other when I passed him the ball and he scored goals,” Vialli said in a TV interview with Italy’s RAI in November.

The post Former star Italy striker Vialli dies aged 58 appeared first on Vietexplorer.com.

View more from VietExplorer:

Vietnam a favorite escape from South Korean winter
Saigon a top ten destination in Asia
Hue imperial city – world cultural heritage
Hoi An among Elle list of stunning holiday ideas for 2019
Vietnam listed among best remote getaways in Southeast Asia
Picture-perfect Danang mural village
Hang Bac: the core street of the Old Quarter
Another island in Vietnam comes out of the shadows
Zen Mountain
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai on world’s Top 100 list
Phung Islet, tourist destination for holiday makers in Lunar New Year
Phuoc Tich village preserves heritage
Hanoi’s most popular coffee shops
Vietnam top solo destination
Hoi An turns into Vogue destination suggestion
Crowds flood to Hanoi’s leisure facilities for national holidays
Ta Van turns into tourist destination
300-year old pottery village in Dong Nai
Top breathtaking rendezvous in Vietnam this summer
Essence lists must-try things to explore Vietnam