Mancini and the magical bond with Vialli: "We were different and perfect together, it was special"

Mancini pays tribute to late friend Vialli at awards ceremony in Rimini, recalling their special bond at Sampdoria and in the Italy setup.

Roberto Mancini accepted the Gianluca Vialli Legend Award at a ceremony in Rimini on January 5, 2023 — the anniversary of Vialli's death from cancer. Mancini, who played alongside Vialli at Sampdoria and managed him in the Italy national team, spoke of their unique friendship: "We were different and that made us perfect together." He praised Vialli's influence in the dressing room, noting how players always listened when he spoke. Former Sampdoria teammates from the club's 1991 Serie A title-winning squad attended the event to honour the late delegation chief.