R.I.P. Gianluca Vialli, former Italy, Juventus and Chelsea striker

Another sad day for the world of football/soccer.

One of my favourite footballers has lost his fight against pancreatic cancer.

A truly talented player and a gentle soul.

Addio Gianluca

The former Italy striker Gianluca Vialli has died at the age of 58. Vialli, who played for Chelsea during a stellar career before going to become the club’s manager, had been undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer.

Vialli began his career at Cremonese, his hometown club, before starring in Serie A for Sampdoria and Juventus, and ended his playing career at Chelsea before going into management and coaching. He scored 16 goals in 59 appearances for Italy and featured in the Azzurri’s 1986 and 1990 World Cup squads.

www.theguardian.com...

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a reply to: Encia22

I saw the news this morning , very sad.

Vialli was a great footballer and manager winning the FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Cup Winners Cup and UEFA Super Cup while at Chelsea.

In all the appearances he made on TV over here he always seemed like a genuine and likable chap and tonight I will raise a glass to the great man.

RiP Gianluca Vialli.

a reply to: gortex

Yes, I believe he was well respected on and off the pitch for every club he played for and/or managed. He was also very intelligent and I think he was one of the best English speakers of all the Italian club managers.

I remember I was supposed to meet him back in 1999 after the Alex Ferguson Testimonial game at Old Trafford in Manchester. I was there as an interpreter for the Rest-Of-The-World foreign players and Italian Media and was looking forward to meeting him. Unfortunately, he left straight after the event and I missed him; I met Ferguson, Cantona, Robson, Hughes, etc., even Mick Hucknall of Simply Red autographed my programme, but I really regret not talking to Gianluca.

news.bbc.co.uk...

a reply to: Encia22

Graeme Souness isn't a man known for heaping praise on people or sentimental platitudes.
He said this about Vialli;

Souness told Sky Sports: "People will say things about his magnificent football ability, and correctly so, but above all that what a human being."

Former Scotland midfielder Souness added: "My condolences go to his family - the kids were blessed to have a dad like that, his wife was blessed to be married to a man like that.

"He was just fabulous to be around. He was such a fun-loving guy, full of mischief, a wonderful footballer and a warm human being.

"Forget football, he was just a gorgeous soul."

www.bbc.co.uk...

What more can be said?

A little before my time, but one of the greatest Blues to grace Stamford Bridge. hope he gets to hang with Pele, Maradona and all the other greats who went before

RIP Gianluca