CHELSEA legend Gianluca Vialli has died at the age of 58 following a battle with cancer.
Vialli, who enjoyed a stellar career with Sampdoria, Juventus and Chelsea and earned 59 caps for Italy, was diagnosed in 2017.
Getty Images – GettyChelsea legend Gianluca Vialli has died[/caption]
Instagram @lucavialliVialli was diagnosed with cancer in 2017[/caption]
PAHe stepped down from his role with the Italian national team last month[/caption]
The Italian was given the all-clear in 2020 but sadly his pancraetic cancer returned a year later.
Last month he was forced to step away from his role with the Italian national team.
Vialli’s mother, 87, rushed to be by his side in a London hospital after his condition reportedly worsened at the end of December.
The former footballer spent most of his career at Sampdoria.
He scored 141 goals in 327 games across eight seasons for the Italians, helping them to a Serie A title, three Italian Cups and the Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup.
Sampdoria was Vialli’s second club after Cremonense, who he left in 1984 after 25 goals in 113 games.
Vialli’s third side was Juventus, after he joined in 1992.
The ex-forward netted 53 times in 145 games while winning one title, one Italian Cup, a Uefa Cup and one Champions League.
Vialli then signed for Chelsea in 1996 and scored 40 goals in 88 games, winning the FA Cup, League Cup and Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup.
He made his final appearance in 1999, but continued managing Chelsea after becoming player-manager the year before.
Vialli lasted until 2000, when he was sacked just five games into the new season.
His one and only other managerial role came in 2001 at Watford, where he spent a single year before being axed.
Vialli’s latest venture saw him working as delegation chief with Italy, having scored 16 goals in 59 games for his country as a player.
Vialli was part of Roberto Mancini’s backroom which won Euro 2020 against England, but he was forced to step away in December to deal with his cancer battle.
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