‘Forza Luca’ – Fans hang touching banner outside Gianluca Vialli’s London hospital amid Chelsea legend’s cancer fight | The Sun
SAMPDORIA fans have paid a touching tribute to Gianluca Vialli.
That’s by hanging a supportive banner outside the London hospital he’s staying in for his cancer treatment.
Chelsea legend Vialli, 58, is receiving treatment in the capital for pancreatic cancer.
The Italian was first diagnosed in 2017 before getting the all-clear in 2020.
But sadly, Vialli’s cancer returned a year later.
And earlier this month he was forced to step away from his role with the Italian national team.
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Vialli’s mother rushed to be by his side after his condition reportedly worsened last week.
And fans of Vialli’s former clubs like Chelsea and Juventus are praying for his recovery.
But Sampdoria supporters went a step further as they decorated the front of his hospital with a touching banner.
Displaying the Italian club’s colours, it simply read: “Forza Luca.”
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4A further message was posted on Facebook, saying: “C’mon Gianluca! All Sampdoria Club of England supporters are with you! We love and adore you.”
Vialli is sure to appreciate the kind words, having spent most of his career at Sampdoria.
He scored 141 goals in 327 games across eight seasons for the Italians, helping them to a Serie A title, three Italian Cups and the Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup.
Sampdoria was Vialli’s second club after Cremonense, whom he left in 1984 after 25 goals in 113 games.
Vialli’s third side was Juventus, after he joined in 1992.
The ex-forward netted 53 times in 145 games while winning one title, one Italian Cup, a Uefa Cup and one Champions League.
Vialli then signed for Chelsea in 1996 and scored 40 goals in 88 games, winning the FA Cup, League Cup and Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup.
He made his final appearance in 1999, but continued managing Chelsea after becoming player-manager the year before.
Vialli lasted until 2000, when he was sacked just five games into the new season.
His one and only other managerial role came in 2001 at Watford, where he spent a single year before being axed.
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Vialli’s latest venture saw him working as delegation chief with Italy, having scored 16 goals in 59 games for his country as a player.
Vialli was part of Roberto Mancini’s backroom which won Euro 2020 against England, but he was forced to step away earlier this month to deal with his cancer battle.
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