Gianluca Vialli’s ‘condition has worsened’ as the former Italy star continues his second cancer battle in a London hospital, with ‘his mother and brother rushing over from Italy to be by his side’
Gianluca Vialli’s mother rushed over to London to visit her son in hospital after the former Chelsea and Italy striker’s condition worsened this week, according to reports in Italy.
Vialli, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer for a second time in 2021, announced last week that he is leaving his role as a coach for Italy’s national team to focus on his latest battle with the disease.
And according to Italian publication Corriere Della Serra, the 58-year-old’s condition has worsened in recent days, meaning his mother, Maria Teresa, and brother Nino flew over from Italy to be by his side in London before returning home on Tuesday.
Gianluca Vialli’s mother has rushed over to London to visit him in hospital amid his cancer fight. He is pictured in September watching Italy in Nations League match against Hungary
Gianlucca Vialli with his wife Cathryn White-Cooper, who he married back in August 2003
John Terry sent a message of support to his old Chelsea boss after he left Italy’s coaching team
Vialli is unable to join them back in Cremona for Christmas as he continues his fight against pancreatic cancer, which he was first diagnosed with in 2017.
He successfully overcame the disease in November 2018, before receiving the all-clear 18 months later.
However, after playing a key role in Italy’s triumph at Euro 2020 last year as a member of Roberto Mancini’s backroom staff, Vialli was told shortly after that the cancer had returned.
Gianluca Vialli and wife Cathryn White Cooper party at the Billionaire Club, Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Italy in 2010
Vialli was a key figure in Italy’s run to winning Euro 2020, but now must focus on his health
The ex-Italy international therefore decided to step down as a coach for his country and instead focus his entire efforts on beating it again, and he has returned to the same London hospital where he previously underwent chemotherapy to do so.
Tributes flooded in for Vialli when his decision to leave the Azzurri coaching setup was confirmed last week, including from ex-Chelsea captain John Terry.
Terry, who was given his debut for the Blues by former player-manager Vialli, posted a photo of his old gaffer on Twitter and wrote: ‘Sending my Love and Best Wishes to Gianluca Vialli.
‘The man that gave me my debut and believed in me.’
Gianluca Vialli and wife Cathryn White Cooper at the wedding of Tamara Beckwith and Giorgio Veroni at the Redentore Church, Venice, Italy, on August 27, 2007
Vialli’s nephew Maffo Giommi took to Instagram to urge him to never give up his battle
Vialli is married to Cathryn White Cooper and have been together since 2003 when they tied the knot.
He also received a touching letter from his old Italy team-mate Antonio Cabrini, who urged him not to give up in his second fight against cancer.
‘Dear Gianluca,’ Cabrini’s letter said, ‘when I read in the newspaper that you gave up your role as head of delegation of the [national team] my heart sank.
‘Knowing your extraordinary attachment to the Maglia Azzurra [blue jersey], I understood that such a step on your part can only have one meaning: the game you are playing is taking a lot of effort! The opponent, what you call “the unwanted travel companion”, is playing dirty, like a defender who sinks the tackle, not to win the ball, but to hurt the opponent.
‘And so I, as your companion-friend, am writing to give you courage’.
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