Gianluca Vialli’s birthday, the memories of Mancini, Evani, Juventus and Sampdoria on Instagram – Corriere.it

Gianluca Vialli would have turned 59 today, Sunday 9 July. «Hi Luca, today is your first birthday as an angel. Congratulations, big man.” This is how Alberico «Chicco» Evani remembers him on his Instagram profile, a tribute to his friend — together in Roberto Mancini’s staff they conquered the European Championship in July 2021 — companion of many other adventures. Vialli passed away on January 6, after a long illness, a pancreatic tumor that left him no way out.

Today will be celebrated too by Sampdoria fans under the South Staircase. To have a thought for him in addition to the Sampdoria club, now coached by Andrea Pirlo, also the Juventus. With the first he won the 1991 championship, losing the final by European Cup in 1992 against Barcelona (1-0 after extra time with Koeman’s goal from a free kick); with the bianconeri he was the last captain to have raised the Champions League to the sky with that shirt. It was 1996 and at the Olimpico in Rome Juventus had just beaten reigning champion Ajax on penalties.

The Sampdoria club, which also mourns the passing of Luisito Suarez (the Spanish champion ended his career in Genoa in 1973), remembered him thus: «Best wishes up there, Luca». Just like Juventus: «Gianluca Vialli. Always in our hearts”. The message from Roberto Mancini could not be missing, still deeply felt by the loss of his friend, companion of a thousand battles, on and off the pitch. The coach of the national team on social media published a story on Instagram, reporting one of his sentences: “I want to inspire people, I want someone to look at me and say: it is also thanks to you that I have not given up”. And then Mancio’s embrace: «Happy birthday Luca, always in our hearts», with Luca’s photo with the European Cup