Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni tweeted-“To God Gianluca Vialli, Lion King on the field and in life.” says Italy’s football federation .“I know that I probably will not die of old age, I hope to live as long as possible, but I feel much more fragile than before.” Vialli said in a Netflix documentary aired in March 2022.
He was however forced to step aside from his role as head of a delegation with the Italian national team last month, saying he needed to focus on overcoming a new phase of his disease. They celebrated with a tearful embrace that “was more beautiful than the hugs we used to give each other when I passed him the ball and he scored goals. “ Vialli said in a TV interview with Italy’s RAI in November.
Vialli scored twice as Sampdoria beat Anderlecht 2-0 in 1990 to lift the European Cup Winners’ Cup. He also played a major role when Sampdoria claimed the Series A title in 1991 for the first and only time, scoring 19 goals.