Gianluca Vialli, the former
The Italian soccer federation confirmed Vialli's death on Friday.
Vialli announced in 2018 that he had overcome a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer but then said in
With his condition worsening, Vialli announced in mid-December that he was temporarily stepping down from his role as the delegation chief for Italy’s national team.
Vialli had been appointed delegation chief under Azzurri head coach
Vialli and Mancini were known as the “gemelli del gol,” or “goal twins,” when they played together at Sampdoria, leading the club based in
Vialli and Mancini also led Sampdoria to the 1992 European Cup final, which it lost to
As delegation chief, Vialli reunited with Mancini to help
“We have a relationship that goes way beyond friendship,” Mancini said during the Euros. “He’s like a true brother to me.”
Vialli’s death comes three weeks after the premature passing of another Serie A great, Siniša Mihajlović, who died after a long battle with leukaemia. Mihajlović also played with Mancini at Sampdoria after Vialli left the club for
Vialli won another Serie A title at
Vialli played for Italy’s national team from 1985-1992, making 59 appearances and scoring 16 goals.
Vialli ended his playing career while also managing
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