The Italian sporting world was plunged into mourning on Friday after the death of former national footballer Gianluca Vialli at the age of 58 in a London hospital. He suffered from pancreatic cancer. The news of his death is the most important news in the country on Friday.
For the past three years, Vialli has been a member of the Italian national team’s coaching staff. He suspended his duties last December, explaining that he had to fight for his health.
He represented Italy 59 times. He played for UC Cremonese, Sampdoria Genoa, Juventus Turin and Chelsea London. He played 325 Serie A matches, scoring 123 goals. He also made 89 Coppa Italia appearances and 58 Premier League appearances.
He announced pancreatic cancer in 2018. The disease recently relapsed.
He recently recounted his fight in a television interview, which is remembered on the day of his farewell.
“Cancer is not happiness, but I used it to become a better person,” Vialli said on the RAI TV show.
La Gazzetta dello Sport highlighted on their website that Vialli is one of the most beloved footballers. Italy’s biggest sports daily notes that once again the world of football has been steeped in mourning over the deaths of longtime Serie A manager Sinisa Mihajlovic and Pele.
Politicians say goodbye to Vialli.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni tweeted: “We will never forget your goals, your legendary kicks, the joy and the emotions you gave to the whole country.”
She also recalled the scene of a tearful embrace from national team coach Roberto Mancini after the Azzurri won the European Championship last year.
“But above all, we will not forget the man,” added the head of government, qualifying Vialli as “The Lion King on the pitch and in life”.
Former Prime Minister, now European Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni tweeted: “The great champion and maestro of football has passed away.”
We remember his unusual approach to sports competition. Before England’s last match with Italy at the European Championships, he read to the players, moved to tears, excerpts from former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill: “A man, when all is well, knows finally the triumph of great achievements; when things go wrong, he falls knowing he dared.”
The Vatican media also bid farewell to the footballer. The Vatican News portal pointed out: “At the age of 58, one of the most powerful strikers in Italian football, an icon of sport, has died.”
From Rome Sylwia Wysocka (PAP)
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