Gianluca Vialli, a late football legend, was raised in a stunning 60-room chateau that he later utilized for vacations thanks to his prosperous father.
The majestic Castello di Belgioioso, which is situated in the breathtaking Cremona scenery in the Lombardy area of northern Italy, was home to Vialli together with his parents and four brothers before being utilized as a vacation residence.
Vialli’s father, a self-made entrepreneur and builder, relocated his large family into the enormous 60-room palace around 22 miles south of Milan.
Icon Vialli tragically passed away this week at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London at the age of 58 after a protracted fight with pancreatic cancer. He played for Chelsea, Juventus, and Sampdoria.
The talented attacker was born in Cremona, where he would later make his professional debut in 1980, and was raised in a mansion fit for a king with his four siblings.
The family house of Vialli was the Castello di Belgioioso in the fifteenth century, which had previously been inhabited by princes and nobility.
The castle was a fairytale residence for the football star, to which he would escape during breaks from play, with its sizable moat, Italian garden, and ballroom.
The castle, which served as the Prince of Belgioioso’s rural estate, currently hosts historical exhibits, cultural gatherings, and fairs.
The charming property, which served as Vialli’s childhood home, today provides services like weddings and conferences and serves as a museum, showcasing its extensive historical connections.
He had to frequently refute accusations that he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth because of his extremely atypical background as a professional player.
Vialli, who was well-known for his positive outlook on life, famously credited his prodigious goal-scoring prowess to “making love as much as possible.”
A goal was once compared to “sticking my fingers in a socket, like an electric jolt,” in one of his comments.
Players and staff observed a minute's silence before training at Cobham today to remember Gianluca Vialli. 💙 pic.twitter.com/3wiIhbq90a
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 6, 2023
Roberto Mancini, the current manager of the Italian national team, and Vialli were close friends for many years. Their deadly strike tandem at Sampdoria is where their friendship first began.
A few decades later, the two were reunited with the Italian national team, where they helped the Azzurri defeat England on penalties to win the Euro 2020 championship.
Tragically, Vialli’s disease resurfaced last month, forcing him to resign from his position.
With his English wife Cathryn White Cooper, the mother of his two daughters Olivia and Sofia, Vialli resided in London.
As Vialli’s condition deteriorated, his mother Maria Teresa, who is 87 years old, and his brother Nino were among those who took a flight to the UK.
Before Gianluca Vialli began his successful football career, both individuals spent their formative years in the picturesque Lombardy castle.
With brilliant stints at Cremonese, Sampdoria, Juventus, and ultimately Chelsea, the former striker and four-time Coppa Italia winner wowed Serie A and the Premier League while gaining 59 caps for Italy.
In 59 appearances for his country, Vialli scored 16 goals and participated in the 1986 and 1990 World Cup finals, making him one of the most successful and well-liked European immigrants in English football.
His career kept advancing as he led Chelsea to the FA Cup victory in 2000, their fifth major title in less than three years under his leadership.
Numerous members of the football world have sent him sincere respects in the wake of his passing, and the nation as a whole has been affected by his impact on European football.
Vialli stated in a March 2022 Netflix documentary: “I know that I probably will not die of old age, I hope to live as long as possible, but I feel much more fragile than before.”
He referred to his cancer as “a travel companion” that he hoped would ultimately depart after putting him to the test.
Gianluca Vialli also added: “Illness can teach a lot about who you are, and can push you to go beyond the superficial way in which we live.”
I had the pleasure of working with Gianluca Vialli a few times & he was always so warm, kind and knowledgeable.
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) January 6, 2023
He came on Breakfast in 2020 to talk about his amazing book ‘Goals’ & we had a huge response to the interview.
My love to his loved ones.pic.twitter.com/oYndXPG4IF
After his passing, admirers unfurled a moving banner in front of Vialli’s hospital in London.
