Roberto Mancini, head coach of the Italy senior national football team, says, Gianluca Vialli, was a “courageous and perfect man”.
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| From Left: Gianluca Vialli celebrates with the European Championship trophy and Italy head coach, Roberto Mancini gives instruction during an international match. Photos: Vialli – SkySports, Mancini – AFP via Getty Images via DailyMail |
Also, Mancini says, “It was a privilege to be his friend, his teammate in football”.
Former Sampdoria and Italy striker, Gianluca Vialli, was diagnosed of pancreatic cancer in 2017, died at the age of 58 in 2023.
Vialli played alongside Mancini for Italy and Sampdoria. He was part of Mancini’s coaching staff for the Azzurri’s Euro 2020 victory.
58-year old Mancini said: “We met at 16-years-old and never left each other’s side.
“Italy’s youth and senior teams, Samp, the highs, the lows, the victories and the defeats.
“Those two nights at Wembley – many years ago we cried with pain and bitterness, and then we cried with joy as though we were united by destiny before he passed away.
“He played a key role in us winning the European Championship. The players loved him.
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| Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Mancini celebrate Italy’s victory at the Euros. Photo: SkySports |
“Gianluca gave us courage that we didn’t know and which he used to fight his illness so hard that he managed to be with us as long as he possibly could.
“Gianluca was the best of us, a perfect, courageous man.
“It was a privilege to be his friend, his team-mate in football and life.”
