Former Chelsea, Juventus and Italy striker Gianluca Vialli dies aged 58

Vialli was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017. He was given the all-clear in April 2020 but the illness returned in 2021. Vialli announced he will temporarily leave his role with Italy's national team in December to focus on his health.

Vialli began his career at Cremonese before playing for Sampdoria and

and ended his playing career at Chelsea before going into management and coaching. He won Serie A titles with both Sampdoria and Juventus.

The Italian forward joined

in 1996 after winning the Champions League with Juventus as a captain. Vialli become the first Italian to manage a Premier League side when took over from Ruud Gullit in 1998. He guided Chelsea to victory in the FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, and UEFA Super Cup.

He scored 16 goals in 59 appearances for

and played in the 1986 and 1990 World Cups. Vialli who played alongside Roberto Mancini in Sampdoria was a part of his coaching staff when Italy won the Euro 2020.

Sampdoria wrote on Friday in an emotional article:

“You gave us so much, we gave you so much: yes, it was love, reciprocal, infinite. A love that will not die today with you. We will continue to love and adore you because – as you well know – you are better than Pelé. And because, despite everything, our beautiful season is destined to never end.”

They added: “We will remember you as a boy and a relentless centre-forward, because heroes are all young and beautiful and you, since that summer of 1984, have been our hero. Strong and beautiful, with that 9 printed on the back and the Italian flag sewn on the heart.”

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