Italian coach Antonio Conte didn’t attend a press conference today, but honoured his friend Gianluca Vialli on social media by showing a picture they took during a dinner in London only a few months ago: ‘You were a source of inspiration.’
Vialli died in London this morning. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017. A former Juventus, Cremonese and Sampdoria striker, the 58-year-old is one of the most iconic strikers in the history of Italian football and Serie A.
He was also a player and coach for Chelsea, where he arrived in 1996 after winning the Champions League with Juventus.
Antonio Conte was also part of the same Juventus side. The pair spent many years together in Turin and recently met for dinner in London.
Conte shared a picture of that meeting on Instagram.
“We were having dinner in London only a few months ago, while we enjoyed remembering all our battles on the pitch,” wrote Conte.
“Unfortunately, over the last few years, you had to fight a big and terrible one in life. I told you and wrote to you that you were a source of inspiration for me as my captain. Strong, proud and courageous, fighting like a lion against this illness.
“Always in my heart, my friend. Goodbye Gianluca.”
Vialli scored 53 goals in 145 appearances with Juventus from 1992 until 1996, while Conte played for Juventus from 1991 until 2004.