Some big names have been lost from Italian football in the past month or so and now Gianluca Vialli has been added to the list. As well as being an exceptional goalscorer, he was also regarded as one of the real gentlemen of the sport.
Vialli had a superb career both in Serie A and also in the Premier League. Having started his career at Cremonese, he then rose to prominence at Sampdoria as he formed a deadly strike partnership with the now-Italy coach, Roberto Mancini. He scored 19 times in the 1990/91 season and delivered Sampdoria their first-ever Scudetto.
During his time at Samp, he also won the Coppa Italia three times, the Supercoppa Italiana once, and UEFA Cup Winner's Cup. That form led to him being sold to Juventus for a world record fee of €16.6m. He won five more major trophies with the Bianconeri which included a Serie A title and one Champions League.
He then won the hearts of English football fans too as he scored 40 goals for Chelsea and won three trophies with the London club.
Due to his incredible work both on and off the pitch, many people have had many wonderful things to say about Gianluca Vialli down the years.
Goals came easily to the Italian star who passed away after a long battle with cancer at the age of 58 on Friday. He may not have set the world alight on the international stage, more due to circumstance than ability, but he certainly cemented himself as one of the greats of Italian football.
Part of how he did that was by helping Italy win Euro 2020 as part of Roberto Mancini's backroom staff in 2021. The embrace with his close friend at the full-time whistle at Wembley is a treasured memory for Italian football fans. Mancini has always been vocal about his admiration for his friend.
“He’s a strong and intelligent guy, he has always been an example and a point of reference for all of us.”Roberto Mancini
“We spent a number of years together, and we have relationship that goes way beyond friendship. He’s almost like a brother to me.”Roberto Mancini
“He’s strong, much stronger than me.”Roberto Mancini
As well as the admiration from Mancini, Vialli has received praise from the likes of journalists, former coaches, former club owners, and many many more throughout his career and life.
"He defends like a tiger…attacks like a lion and is sharper than a puma.”Vujadin Boskov
“He is the Michelangelo of the Sistine Chapel. A sculptor who can transform himself into a painter.”Gianni Agnelli
" A modern striker, gifted with power and style, the most representative player of his generation.”Marino Bortoletti
"What he did for the Azzurri will never be forgotten."Gabriele Gravina
"Forget football for a minute, he was just a gorgeous soul, a truly nice human being."Graeme Souness
"A deeply beloved personality in our game. A generational talent whose legacy is etched in history."Venezia FC.
Source : 90min