Former Chelsea striker, Gianluca Vialli has died at the age of 58.
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| Gianluca Vialli |
Vialli was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017, and he disclosed that he had been given the all-clear in 2020, however, was diagnosed with the disease again in 2021.
His former teammate at Italian club Sampdoria, said: “People will say things about his magnificent football activity, and correctly so, but above all that what a human being.
“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.”
Gianluca Vialli played 59 times for his country, Italy.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed that a minute’s silence in memory of Vialli will take place before the commencement of all Italian matches this weekend.
President of FIGC, Gabriele Gravina, said: “Gianluca was a splendid person and he leaves a void that cannot be filled.
“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.”
