Gianluca Vialli died after battling cancer as clubs pay tribute to the former striker.
Former Italy and Chelsea striker Gianluca Vialli has died at the at of 58 years after battling Pancreatic cancer.
Vialli was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017 and then for a second time in 2021, shortly after Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph.
He left his role with Italy in December, citing his need to undergo treatment for the disease.
Vialli played for Cremonese, Sampdoria and Juventus in the 1980s and 1990s before joining Chelsea in 1996.
The Italian became player-manager of the Blues in 1998 following the departure of Ruud Gullit and that year led the club to glory in the League Cup, UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali said in a statement: “This is truly an awful day for Chelsea Football Club. Gianluca’s legend will live on at Stamford Bridge. His impact as a player, a coach and most importantly as a person, will be forever written across our club’s history.”
A statement read on Juventus’ official website “We have always been with you, Gianluca, ever since you arrived in 1992, when it was love at first sight.
“We loved everything about you, absolutely everything – your smile, you being a star and leader at the same time, on the pitch and in the dressing room.”
