GIANLUCA VIALLI and Roberto Mancini emotionally embraced following Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph – a year after Vialli beat cancer for the first time.
It was confirmed on Friday morning that the former Chelsea player and manager, 58, had passed away following a second battle with cancer.
Vialli was part of Mancini’s backroom team for Euro 2020, which culminated in the penalty shootout win over England in the final.
The pair were great friends, having spent eight years together at Sampdoria during their playing days.
Mancini brought Vialli into the Italy setup in November 2019, and in April 2020 he announced he had been given the all-clear from cancer.
Vialli had first been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017.
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And the pair were overcome by emotion when Italy beat the Three Lions on penalties in July 2021 at Wembley.
A video of Vialli and Mancini embracing in tears has resurfaced on social media today.
As Italy’s players celebrated, the two great friends gripped each other tightly on the Wembley surface while visibly emotional.
They shared a private moment after helping the Azzurri to glory.
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Vialli’s cancer returned later that year, and last month he was forced to step away from hisĀ role with the Italian national team.
His mother rushed to be by his side in a London hospitalĀ after his condition reportedly worsenedĀ before Christmas.
On Friday morning it was announced Vialli had passed away, with tributes pouring in for the hugely popular Italian.
Former club Chelsea described him as a “legend”, while Graeme Souness broke down in tears on Sky when speaking about his team-mate from Sampdoria.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
