Italian football legend Gianluca Vialli has passed away at the age of 58 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, just 18 months after playing a key role in Azzurri's Euro 2020 triumph at Wembley.
Italian football legend Gianluca Vialli lost his fight with pancreatic cancer at the age of 58, just 18 months after playing a significant part in the Azzurri's victory at the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.
The two embraced on the field following Italy's triumph against England in the final, as Vialli was a member of Roberto Mancini's backroom team.
This will be forever in my head.
Vialli and his very good friend Mancini, in tears, after Italy won the Euros.
Today is a very sad day.
😢pic.twitter.com/knfNfbuM7G
Vialli, who had returned to the touchline following his initial cancer diagnosis in 2017, could not contain his tears when he hugged Mancini since it was such a memorable occasion.
Having known what his friend had gone through and having enjoyed a special link with him for the better part of four decades, Mancini was also overcome with emotion.
Between 1984 and 1992, Vialli and Mancini were teammates at Sampdoria. They formed a formidable connection that helped the team win the Serie A in 1991 and the Coppa Italia three times.
They stayed close, and Mancini hired Vialli onto his coaching staff in November 2019. Later, in April 2020, the former Chelsea player revealed he had received the all-clear for pancreatic cancer.
Mancini and Vialli led the team on an undefeated streak until the European Championships as Italy sought to get past the embarrassment of missing out on the 2018 World Cup.
Then, Italy maintained their composure throughout the tournament, winning back-to-back matches on penalties against Spain and England to win the event for the second time ever.
The result of 18 months of laborious work for Mancini and Vialli was that beautiful moment at Wembley, and video footage demonstrates how much it meant to them.
Vialli would continue in his position beyond the competition, but in December 2021, he announced his cancer returning.
Ciao Gianluca, you will forever be remembered 💙 pic.twitter.com/5IDKMTSZaL
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En)When North Macedonia eliminated Italy in the play-offs in March, Italy could not qualify for the World Cup for a second straight year. Still, Mancini and Vialli continued in their roles as managers.
Last month, as Vialli entered a London hospital for additional cancer treatment, he eventually announced his resignation from his position. On Thursday night, Vialli passed away with his family by his side in a hospital in London.
"I'll remember this moment forever," said one fan as the video of Vialli hugging Mancini went viral in the wake of his tragic death, while another added, "I'm heartbroken and at a loss for words."
A third fan noted, "I’m so happy he got the chance to see this (Italy win Euro 2020) man," while a fourth said, "They really were the best of friends. Thinking of Roberto Mancini today as well."
Here's a look at how football fans cherished Vialli and Mancini's friendship following the death of the former Chelsea and Juventus striker:
One of the most beautiful moments. Luca Vialli and Bobby Mancini after the victory at the EUROs. Such a formidable force from their Sampdoria days, they reunited with the Azzurri and led them all the way. Eternally grateful Luca. pic.twitter.com/JouGimUlLA
— Italian Football News 🇮🇹 (@footitalia1)This, Wembley pitch, a second after Italy won Euro2020, will be forever Italy hug to Gianluca
Lifetime friendship with Mancini.
Ecstasy for winning where they lost Sampdoria’s Champions final.
Emotion to overcome leukaemia to taste one more joy in life with your friend pic.twitter.com/suQnCQu2Qf
One of Italian football’s absolute greatest from an era when Calcio literally ruled the world.
Gianluca Vialli’s career was as synonymous to ’s as Mancini’s was to his.
Seeing them crying in each others arms after winning EURO 2020 was beautiful.
RIP
❤️🙏 pic.twitter.com/VClkRAkMGz
Sad to hear the passing of Gianluca Vialli at the age of 58. Tremendous player for Italy, Cremonese, Juventus, Chelsea and of course who can forget him and Mancini playing for Sampdoria pic.twitter.com/hILOBnXGhN
— Tony Pignata (@tpignata9)Ciao, Gianluca Vialli. Having battled cancer for many years, last summer during the Euros his old teammate from thirty years ago, Roberto Mancini, gave him a spot on the Italian coaching staff even though he was undergoing treatment. Italy went on to win the tournament 🏆🇮🇹. pic.twitter.com/2WWRiA6kKo
— Nathen Amin ✒️📚 (@NathenAmin)Vialli celebrating with his best mate Mancini after they won the Euros together, after he’d beaten cancer the first time, will forever be one of the most moving moments in football history. Rest In Peace, Luca 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/hvyvswzNJj
— Joe Baiamonte (@JoeBaia)Roberto Mancini & Gianluca Vialli 😢pic.twitter.com/pGWfTx0jBO
— 7/24 Canlı Maç Yayını 🖥 (@724canlimac)I'll never forget Mancini & Vialli hugging after the euros final ❤️ RIP Gianluca Vialli 🖤🤍 pic.twitter.com/Y1p5GAoJ5s
— MiniKeys🌸ファラオ (@JungleShirai)What a tough couple of months for Mancini man. First Mihajlovic, now Vialli. I hope he's doing okay. We got you Mister. pic.twitter.com/viOCx8uuPR
— francesca ucey (@beckysbiceps)Sampdoria
At Sampdoria he formed a prolific strike partnership with teammate and childhood friend Roberto Mancini,earning the nickname The Goal Twins ("I Gemelli del Gol", in Italian).With Vialli at his best, Sampdoria had the most successful era in its history pic.twitter.com/idC4c387S3
Shite news about Vialli. A real legend in my late teens with Sampdoria. That partnership with Mancini was 🔥
— Jonathan Main (@jonnymain2011)Gianluca Vialli got to celebrate winning the Euros with his best friend under the spotlight. May God keep the legend’s soul safe. My heart goes out to Mancini
— Him Halpert (@FatherSiisi)