# Soccer-Former star Italy striker Vialli dies aged 58 Author: Pal Sinha, Barnali Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali Published: 2023-01-06 Category: NEWS Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/news Meta Title: Former Italy striker Gianluca Vialli dies from cancer at 58 Meta Description: Former Italy striker Gianluca Vialli, who earned 59 caps for his country and had a stellar club career with Sampdoria, Juventus and Chelsea, has passed away at URL: https://financedigest.com/soccer-former-star-italy-striker-vialli-dies-aged-58html ![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/2023-01-06t094952z2lynxmpej0509drtroptp4soccer-worldcup-nir-ita-preview-1736814614978-compressed.jpg) By Keith Weir and Alvise Armellini MILAN (Reuters) -Former Italy striker Gianluca Vialli, who earned 59 caps for his country and enjoyed a stellar club career with Sampdoria, Juventus and Chelsea, has died from cancer at the age of 58. Vialli was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017. He was given the all-clear a [year later](https://www.financedigest.com/three-years-later-gdpr-is-all-talk-and-no-action.html "Three Years Later: GDPR is All Talk and No Action") only for the illness to return. Sampdoria confirmed on Friday that he had died. Surrounded by his family, he passed away last night after five [years of illness faced](https://www.financedigest.com/eu-could-face-gas-shortage-next-year-iea-warns.html "EU could face gas shortage next year, IEA warns") with courage and dignity. We thank the many who have supported him over the years with their affection. His memory and example will [live in our hearts forever,” Vialli’s family was quoted as saying](https://www.financedigest.com/live-up-to-your-climate-promises-uk-pm-will-say.html "“Live up to your climate promises,” UK PM will say") in a statement by the Italian news agency ANSA. Sampdoria, Juventus and Chelsea posted messages of mourning for Vialli on Twitter and on their websites. Italy’s [Prime Minister](https://www.financedigest.com/britains-queen-elizabeth-will-appoint-new-prime-minister-at-balmoral.html "Britain’s Queen Elizabeth will appoint new prime minister at Balmoral") Giorgia Meloni tweeted: “To God Gianluca Vialli, Lion King on the field and in life. Italy’s football federation (FIGC) said that a minute’s silence would be observed at all matches this weekend. I [know that I probably](https://www.financedigest.com/women-in-technology-that-you-should-know-but-probably-dont.html "Women In Technology That You Should Know (But Probably Don’t)") will not die of old age, I hope to live as long as possible, but I feel much more fragile than before,” Vialli had 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](https://www.financedigest.com/ukrainian-refugees-hope-for-peace-but-more-expected-to-flee.html "Ukrainian refugees hope for peace, but more expected to flee"), 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,”](https://www.financedigest.com/redefining-renting-tipi-launches-the-best-way-to-live-in-london.html "REDEFINING RENTING: TIPI LAUNCHES ‘THE BEST WAY TO LIVE IN LONDON’") he said. Vialli was however forced to [step aside from his role as head of a delegation with the Italian national team](https://www.financedigest.com/improving-your-it-team-in-four-simple-steps.html "Improving your IT team in four simple steps") 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.” Mancini and Vialli led [Italy to the Euro](https://www.financedigest.com/eu-seeks-clarification-on-italy-post-covid-plan-freezes-19-billion-euros.html "EU seeks clarification on Italy post-COVID plan, freezes 19 billion euros") 2020 tournament, which was delayed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, lifting the trophy at Wembley Stadium. They celebrated 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](https://www.financedigest.com/interview-with-shruti-rai.html "Interview with Shruti Rai") in November. Their Sampdoria team had lost the European Cup [final to Barcelona at the same venue 29 years](https://www.financedigest.com/10-year-david-goliath-crusade-finally-sees-justice-for-off-plan-spanish-property-buyers.html "10 year ‘David & Goliath’ crusade finally sees justice for off-plan Spanish property buyers") earlier. SUCCESS WITH SAMPDORIA The son of a wealthy industrialist, Vialli first [emerged as a young player](https://www.financedigest.com/allergy-immunotherapy-market-emerging-players-may-yields-new-opportunities-2017-2025.html "Allergy Immunotherapy Market: Emerging Players May Yields New Opportunities 2017-2025") with his local team Cremonese in Italy’s third and second tiers. He moved to Sampdoria in 1984 and helped them enjoy the most successful period in their history, [winning the Italian Cup](https://www.financedigest.com/soccer-kepa-the-hero-as-chelsea-win-super-cup-6-5-on-penalties.html "Soccer-Kepa the hero as Chelsea win Super Cup 6-5 on penalties") three times. Vialli scored twice as Sampdoria beat Anderlecht 2-0 in 1990 to [lift the European](https://www.financedigest.com/european-shares-edge-higher-on-healthcare-lift-weak-china-data-stokes-worries.html "European shares edge higher on healthcare lift, weak China data stokes worries") Cup Winners’ Cup. He also played a major [role when Sampdoria claimed the Serie A title in 1991 for the first and only time](https://www.financedigest.com/now-is-the-time-for-finance-leaders-to-take-on-a-more-strategic-and-valuable-role.html "Now is the time for finance leaders to take on a more strategic and valuable role"), scoring 19 goals. Vialli left the Genoa-based club in the summer of 1992, moving to Juventus, where after a sluggish start he rediscovered his goalscoring touch and helped the Turin giants win the Italian league in 1995 and the [Champions](https://www.financedigest.com/soccer-arsenal-reach-womens-champions-league-semis-for-first-time-since-2013.html "Soccer-Arsenal reach Women’s Champions League semis for first time since 2013") League the following season. He joined London club Chelsea on a free transfer in 1996 and became player manager two [years later](https://www.financedigest.com/why-companies-need-to-rethink-retirement-tips-for-ensuring-a-happy-life-in-later-years.html "Why companies need to rethink retirement – Tips for ensuring a happy life in later years") when Dutchman Ruud Gullit was sacked. Under Vialli, Chelsea won the [League Cup](https://www.financedigest.com/soccer-everton-edge-fleetwood-in-league-cup-for-first-win-of-season-fulham-out.html "Soccer-Everton edge Fleetwood in League Cup for first win of season, Fulham out") and Cup Winners’ Cup in 1998 and the FA Cup two years later before he too was dismissed. His last managerial role was in [charge of Watford in the English second](https://www.financedigest.com/whats-the-difference-between-a-first-second-and-third-charge-bridging-loan.html "What’s the Difference between a First, Second and Third Charge Bridging Loan?") tier in 2001-2002. After leaving team management, Vialli co-founded [sports investment](https://www.financedigest.com/american-igaming-and-sports-betting-is-on-the-rise-with-new-investments-and-regulations-2022-predictions.html "American iGaming and Sports Betting is on the rise with new investments and regulations – 2022 predictions") firm Tifosy Capital. Vialli leaves a wife and two daughters. (Additional reporting by Gianluca Semeraro; editing by Hugh Lawson, John Stonestreet and Toby Davis) --- This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more. ---