Gianluca Vialli, a former Chelsea striker and manager who appeared 59 times for Italy, passed away at the age of 58.
He received a pancreatic cancer diagnosis in 2017, but claimed to be in the clear in April 2020.
In order to concentrate on his health, Vialli abandoned a position with Italy’s national team in December 2022 after receiving a re-diagnosis.
Gianluca was a wonderful person, and he leaves a vacuum that cannot be filled, according to Gabriele Gravina, head of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).
“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.”
The FIGC confirmed that a minute’s silence in memory of Vialli will be held before all Italian matches this weekend.
‘A gorgeous soul’ – Vialli tributes
Forever a champion 💙 pic.twitter.com/wnmJQPIfrj
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) January 6, 2023
Per sempre uno di noi 🙏🏻🔘🔴
Ciao Gianluca #Vialli ➡️ https://t.co/I4Kta1zLM5 pic.twitter.com/CtaYSw39fm
— U.S. Cremonese (@USCremonese) January 6, 2023
Ciao amico mio. RIP Gianluca Vialli pic.twitter.com/TmUherAf31
— Carlo Ancelotti (@MrAncelotti) January 6, 2023
This will be forever in my head.
Vialli and his very good friend Mancini, in tears, after Italy won the Euros.
Today is a very sad day.
— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) January 6, 2023
Devastated to hear the news 😢 RIP Luca – a fabulous career and a great fella. A wonderful life has been cut short. I am well and truly gutted 😢 Gianluca Vialli it was an honour to have known you pic.twitter.com/hoc8hP80b6
— Chris Kamara (@chris_kammy) January 6, 2023
Ciao Gianluca, you will forever be remembered 💙 pic.twitter.com/5IDKMTSZaL
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) January 6, 2023
Ciao Gianluca pic.twitter.com/C9P8oVLSnR
— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) January 6, 2023
A legend of the game. RIP Luca 🙏pic.twitter.com/KhHUSBGNEE
— 90s Football (@90sfootball) January 6, 2023
You’ll be missed by so many. A legend to us and to all of football.
Rest in peace, Gianluca Vialli. 💙 pic.twitter.com/mNJPDkCSYO
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 6, 2023