Gianluca Vialli, a former Italy striker who helped Sampdoria and Juventus win Serie A and European trophies before becoming player-manager at Chelsea, died aged 58 on January 6 in London.
Vialli announced in 2018 he had overcome a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer but then said in December 2021 that the disease had returned.
With his condition worsening, Vialli announced in he was temporarily stepping down from his role as the delegation chief for Italy’s national team.
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Federation president Gabriele Gravina said he was “deeply saddened” and noted that Vialli’s sporting success was matched by his “extraordinary human qualities.”
Players, officials and fans held a minutes applause in his memory prior to the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Etihad Stadium on January 8 in Manchester, England.
