Gianluca Vialli, former Italy striker, dies at 58

KATHMANDU: Gianluca Vialli, the former Italy striker who helped Sampdoria and Juventus win Serie A and European trophies before becoming player-manager at Chelsea, has died.

The Italian soccer federation confirmed Vialli’s death on Friday.

Gianluca, a 58-year-old striker, died of cancer on Friday in London.

Vialli announced in 2018 that he had defeated pancreatic cancer after a year-long battle, but then announced in December 2021 that the disease had returned.

He scored 16 goals in 59 matches for Italy. He played club football for Chelsea, Juventus, and Sampdoria.

Gianluca was also Chelsea’s head coach.

He was a member of Roberto Mancini’s backroom team when Italy won the Eurocup in 2020.