Xtra Time Web Desk: Former Italian football legend Gianluca Vialli passed away on Friday after fighting a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 58 years old. Vialli was part of the Italian side that finished in third place at the 1990 FIFA World Cup. Since making his debut against Poland in 1985, Vialli played 59 matches for Azzurri, scoring 16 goals
Born in 1964, Vialli shot to fame by winning a Scudetto, three Italian Cups, an Italian Supercoppa and a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup for Sampdoria. After eight seasons with Sampdoria, Vialli spent four years at Juventus bagging five trophies, including a Scudetto and one Champions League.
Vialli’s playing career ended in 1999 after three years in England at Chelsea and started off his coaching career. He joined Italy’s coaching group to work alongside his old friend Roberto Mancini, winning the UEFA Championship in 2021,
Following brief managerial stints at Chelsea and Watford, Vialli was part of the backroom staff for the Italy national side, alongside his former Sampdoria teammate Roberto Mancini, and together won Euro 2020.