MILAN, Jan 6 (Reuters) – Former Italian striker Gianluca Vialli, who has performed for his nation 59 occasions and has had a star membership profession at Sampdoria, Juventus and Chelsea, has died of most cancers aged 58.

Vialli was identified with pancreatic most cancers in 2017. A 12 months later he was fully cleared just for the illness to return.

Sampdoria confirmed his loss of life on Friday.

Vialli’s mentioned, “He handed away final night time after dealing with braveness and dignity after a five-year sickness along with his household at his aspect. We thank the many individuals who’ve supported him with love over time. His reminiscence and instance will dwell on in our hearts eternally.” These phrases of the household had been quoted in a press release made by the Italian information company ANSA.

Sampdoria, Juventus and Chelsea have posted messages of mourning for Vialli on Twitter and on their web sites.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni tweeted “To the Lion King God Gianluca Vialli on the sector and in life”.

The Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) mentioned there shall be a minute’s silence in any respect matches this weekend.

“I do know I most likely will not die of outdated age, I hope to dwell so long as potential, however I really feel far more fragile than earlier than,” Vialli mentioned in a Netflix documentary launched in March 2022.

He described most cancers as “a journey companion” that he hoped would ultimately go away him alone after testing his braveness. “Sickness can train you a large number about who you’re and may push you to transcend the superficial manner we dwell,” she mentioned.

However Vialli was pressured to step down from his function as head of delegation for the Italian nationwide crew final month, saying he ought to give attention to getting over a brand new part of his sickness.

Working for the Italian crew, Vialli was reunited with nationwide coach Roberto Mancini, who turned his lifelong pal and striker associate whereas taking part in at Sampdoria, the place they’re each referred to as the “purpose twins”.

Mancini and Vialli lifted the trophy at Wembley Stadium, transferring Italy to the Euro 2020 match, which was postponed to 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was nicer than the hugs we gave one another once I handed him and he scored,” they celebrated with tearful embraces, Vialli mentioned in a TV interview with RAI from Italy in November.

The Sampdoria crew misplaced the European Cup remaining 29 years in the past to Barcelona on the identical discipline.

SUCCESS WITH SAMPDORIA

The son of a rich industrialist, Vialli first emerged as a younger participant along with his native crew Cremonese in Italy’s third and second locations.

He moved to Sampdoria in 1984 and helped them expertise essentially the most profitable interval of their historical past by successful the Italian Cup thrice. Vialli scored two targets whereas lifting the European Cup Winners’ Cup by beating Sampdoria Anderlecht 2-0 in 1990.

He additionally performed an vital function when Sampdoria received his first and solely Serie A title in 1991, scoring 19 targets.

Vialli left the Genoa-based membership in the summertime of 1992 and moved to Juventus, the place he rediscovered the goal-scoring contact after a sluggish begin, serving to the Turin giants win the Italian league in 1995 and the Champions League the next season.

He joined London membership Chelsea on a free switch in 1996 and have become participant’s supervisor two years later when Dutchman Ruud Gullit was fired.

Beneath Vialli, Chelsea received the League Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup in 1998 and the FA Cup earlier than being sacked two years later.

His final managerial function was answerable for Watford within the UK second tier in 2001-2002.

After leaving crew administration, Vialli based sports activities funding agency Tifosy Capital.

Vialli leaves a spouse and two daughters.

Further reporting by Gianluca Semeraro; Fiction by Hugh Lawson, John Stonestreet and Toby Davis

Our requirements: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.