A ‘gorgeous soul’ who leaves an ‘unfillable void’ – Gianluca Vialli dies aged 58

Tributes have been paid to former Italy, Juventus and Chelsea striker Gianluca Vialli, who has died at the age of 58 following a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.

The Italian Football Federation said Vialli’s death left an “unfillable void”, while Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali described an “awful day”, and vowed Vialli’s legacy would be “forever written” at the club.

Vialli, who went on to enjoy huge success as manager at Stamford Bridge following his glittering playing career, was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017 and announced he had been given the all-clear in 2020 after treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.

He was re-diagnosed with the disease in 2021 and announced last month that he had stepped down from his role as Italy’s national team delegation chief.

Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported before Christmas that his 87-year-old mother Maria Teresa and brother Nino had travelled to be with Vialli in a London hospital.

During a 16-year playing career in Italy, Vialli won every major trophy on offer, including Serie A titles with Sampdoria (1991) and Juventus (1995), the Champions League with the latter in 1996, the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. He was also a four-time Coppa Italia winner.

He scored 16 goals in 59 appearances for Italy, featured in the 1986 and 1990 World Cups and helped the Azzurri to a third-place finish at the latter, while his £12.5million transfer from Sampdoria to Juventus in 1992 was a world record fee at the time.

Vialli joined Chelsea in 1996 and helped them win the FA Cup at the end of his first season before guiding the London club to glory in both the League Cup and UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup as player-manager the following season.

The Italian Football Federation said all matches under its jurisdiction this weekend would be preceded by a minute’s silence in honour of Vialli.

The Federation’s president Gabriele Gravina said in a statement: “I am deeply saddened – I hoped until the last that he could perform another miracle, yet I am comforted by the certainty that what he did for Italian football and the blue shirt will never be forgotten.

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“Gianluca was a wonderful person and leaves an unfillable void, in the national team and in all those who appreciated his extraordinary human qualities.”

In a short statement posted on Twitter, Boehly and Eghbali wrote: “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. We send our heartfelt and deepest condolences to his family and friends.”

In a statement posted on their official website, Juventus described an “intense loss”, adding: “We loved everything about you, absolutely everything – your smile, your being a star and leader at the same time, on the pitch and in the dressing room, your adorable swashbuckling ways, your culture, your class, which you showed until the last day in the black and white stripes.”

The FA said it was “deeply saddened” to hear of Vialli’s passing, while Watford, whom Vialli briefly managed between 2001 and 2002, tweeted: “All at Watford FC are saddened to learn of the passing of our former manager Gianluca Vialli.”

Graeme Souness, who played alongside Vialli at Sampdoria, was visibly emotional as he recalled his relationship with his former team-mate on Sky Sports.

“I can’t tell you how good a guy he was,” said Souness. “Forget football, he was just a gorgeous soul. He was just a truly nice human being.

Gianluca Vialli made his name with Serie A side Sampdoria (Malcolm Croft/PA Archive)

“He was just fabulous to be around. He was such a fun-loving guy, full of mischief, wonderful footballer and a warm human being.

Former Chelsea captain John Terry, whose first senior appearance came under Vialli in a League Cup tie against Aston Villa in 1998, tweeted: “Heartbroken. RIP Luca. A proper LEGEND and a great man. I will forever be grateful for you giving me my debut.”

And former Blues boss Jose Mourinho led a moment of silence in tribute to Vialli prior to Roma’s training session on Friday, after telling his squad: “I knew him very well – those of you have been part of the Italy set-up knew him even better than I did.”

The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust described Vialli as a “foundational pillar” in ushering in a trophy-laden era at Stamford Bridge.

“The CST is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Chelsea legend Gianluca Vialli,” a statement read.

“He was a foundational pillar of restoring the club’s identity and led the club to win the FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Cup Winners Cup and UEFA Super Cup.

“Even after his time at Chelsea, Gianluca was Chelsea through and through. He was a frequent visitor to Stamford Bridge and he was loved by everyone at our football club.”

Scotland manager Steve Clarke, a former team-mate of Vialli at Stamford Bridge, said: “Gianluca was a pleasure to play alongside and an even greater pleasure to have known.

His achievements speak for themselves not just at Chelsea – where he will be revered and remembered forever – but throughout his decorated career.

He was one of the greatest strikers of his and any other generation. Above all he was a good man.”