Vialli steps back from Italy national team due to health reasons

Gianluca Vialli has announced his decision to temporarily suspend his commitments with the Italy national team for health reasons.

The former Sampdoria and Chelsea striker was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017 and initially seemed to overcome the issue, announcing in November 2018 that he was given the all-clear. Unfortunately for Vialli, the cancer returned and he announced in December 2021 that he was battling the disease for the second time.

As highlighted by Calciomercato.com, Vialli communicated his intention to step back from his working role with the Italy national team to the FIGC earlier today, confirming that he was following advice from his doctors.

“At the end of a long and difficult ‘negotiation’ with my wonderful team of oncologists I have decided to suspend, I hope temporarily, my present and future professional commitments.

“The goal,” Vialli continued, “is to use all the psycho-physical energies to help my body overcome this phase of the disease, so that I will be able as soon as possible to face new adventures and share them with all of you. A hug.”

FIGC president Gabriele Gravina shared his support for Vialli, who was an important part of Roberto Mancini’s Azzurri staff at Euro 2020.

“Gianluca is an absolute protagonist of the Italian national team and will be in the future. Thanks to his extraordinary strength of spirit, the Azzurri and the affection of the whole federal family, I am convinced he will be back soon. He can count on each of us, because we are a team, on and off the pitch.”

Vialli began working with the Italy national team in October 2019, joining his former Sampdoria teammate and friend Mancini in the dugout, becoming the Azzurri’s new delegation chief.