Gianluca Vialli: Italian Football Striker and Champions League Winner Di

Gianluca Vialli was an Italian footballer, manager and broadcaster, best known as a prolific striker for Sampdoria and Juventus and as a trusted figure in Italy's national team set-up. Born on July 9, 1964, in Cremona, Italy, he became one of the most admired players of his generation.

Vialli won the European Cup Winners' Cup with Sampdoria in 1990, scoring both goals in the final, and the Serie A title in 1991 as the league's top scorer with 19 goals. He lifted the Champions League with Juventus in 1996. As player-manager of Chelsea he won the 1998 Cup Winners' Cup at age 33, the youngest manager ever to win a UEFA competition, and he was part of Italy's staff when they won Euro 2020.

Vialli married Cathryn White-Cooper in 2003, and they had two daughters, Olivia and Sofia. He publicly shared his fight against pancreatic cancer, which returned after an earlier remission. He died at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London on January 5, 2023, at age 58. Remembered for his warmth and fighting spirit, he was mourned across Italy and England.

Achievements: Won the European Cup Winners' Cup with Sampdoria (1990), won Serie A as top scorer (1991), won the Champions League with Juventus (1996), won the Cup Winners' Cup as Chelsea manager (1998).

Birth: July 9, 1964 - Cremona, Italy.

Profession: Footballer, manager and broadcaster.

Interesting Facts: He is the only forward among a small group of players to win all three major European club competitions. He spent the final years of his career working in the Italy staff alongside his friend Roberto Mancini.