Gianluca Vialli was one of the finest centre forwards of his generation, he won almost every trophy on offer during a glittering playing career. Those footballing accolades are only surpassed by the testimonies of those who knew him as a kind, amiable and intelligent man.
We take a look back at the defining images of Luca’s career
Luca first made a name for himself with his home town club, Cremonese, in the early 1980s
Italy U21 at Swindon in 1986, front row, centre alongside his Goal Twin Roberto Mancini
Embed from Getty ImagesLuca went to the FIFA World Cup in 1986 and 1990 and was named in the team of the tournament for Euro 88
Embed from Getty ImagesWhilst on National Service, Vialli won the Military World Cup with Italy in 1987
Embed from Getty ImagesLuca scored twice in extra time against Anderlecht to win the 1990 Cup Winners Cup for Sampdoria
Embed from Getty ImagesThe bond forged with Mancini would last a lifetime
Sampdoria hearts were broken at Wembley in the 1992 European Cup Final, but it wouldn’t be Luca’s last word in the competition
Embed from Getty ImagesA transfer to Juventus followed, where he won the UEFA Cup in his first season
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter winning the Scudetto and Coppa Italia in Turin, he rounded off his four-year stay by completing the set of European trophies. Luca lifted the 1996 European Cup as captain.
Embed from Getty ImagesLuca became one of the first big names to arrive in the Premier League with Chelsea…and the silverware continued to flow
Embed from Getty ImagesThe League Cup and another Cup Winners Cup soon followed, with Luca taking his first steps in coaching as player-manager of Chelsea in 1998
Embed from Getty ImagesA brief spell as Watford manager followed
Embed from Getty ImagesIn the ensuing years, Luca became a familiar sight on the charity golf circuit
Embed from Getty ImagesBut he couldn’t stay away when the call came from his old friend Mancini. His final piece of silverware came as Italy assistant at Euro 2020
Embed from Getty ImagesAs Luca continued his brave fight against cancer, the love and support for him continued abated
Gianluca Vialli 1964-2023, Riposa in Pace
If you would like to make a donation to Pancreatic Cancer Research in Lucaโs name, you can do so here: https://www.pcrf.org.uk/donate/
Calcio England 