Graeme Souness collapses in Gianluca Vialli tribute live on air

Graeme Souness broke down in tears as he paid an emotional tribute to former team-mate Gianluca Vialli following his death aged 58.

Vialli died on Thursday evening surrounded by his family after a five-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He has been married to his wife Cathryn White-Cooper since 2003 and the couple have two daughters together – Olivia and Sofia.

Souness, who played with Vialli at Italian club Sampdoria, was live on Sky Sports News and speaking to presenter Hayley McQueen when he was unable to carry his tribute further.

Graeme Souness broke down in tears as he spoke about the death of Italian icon Gianluca Vialli

Souness (left, circled) was a teammate of Vialli (right, circled) during his time at Sampdoria.

Vialli with his wife, Cathryn White-Cooper, whom he married in August 2003

When asked about his recent memory of Vialli being treated in a London hospital before his death, Souness said: “Well I’m not a doctor Hayley but looking at him I thought I saw a man who was still fighting when he was here at the EM.

“I think it’s so typical of him that he kept it so private, so personal, and he took it like I’d expect him to.

“It was his fight, he wanted to deal with it himself. He didn’t want to burden others with it…”

Souness couldn’t hold back tears any longer and Sky made the decision to end the interview quickly, not without thanking the expert for his words.

The two were particularly close in Sampdoria and always played pranks on each other

Vialli was a key figure in Italy’s run to win Euro 2020, serving as the head of the delegation

Souness and Vialli shared a close relationship with Italy boss Roberto Mancini during the Scot’s time in Italy, and Vialli once recalled the time Souness pushed him into a lake when a practical joke went too far.

“On a match day on a Sunday morning I was in my club suit and he thought it was fun to push me into the lake!” Vialli told Sky Sports’ Goals on Sunday show.

He then added that he “got his own back” soon after.

“He could take a joke, give it back to you and when he was older than me we had a fantastic relationship and he really took care of me.”

Vialli enjoyed a prestigious career during which he represented Italy at the 1986 and 1990 World Cups, won the 1996 Champions League with Juventus and rose to popularity during a brief stint at Stamford Bridge in England.

The Italian was player-manager and then manager of Chelsea, guiding them to the 1998 European Cup Winners’ Cup and League Cup and the 2000 FA Cup.

His last role in football was with the Italy national team and he played a role in guiding them to win the 2020 European Championship in England.

On December 14, he was forced to step down from the role due to Krebs’ aggressive return.

In his latest public statement, he said he hopes his absence from the national team is “temporary”.

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

“The goal is to use all my psychophysical energy to help my body overcome this phase of the disease so that I can face new adventures as soon as possible and share them with all of you.”

Vialli (right) and Roberto Mancini (left) were known as “The Goal Twins” at Sampdoria

Fans had left a supportive banner outside the hospital where Vialli was being treated

Vialli was a prolific striker for Sampdoria and Juventus in Italy, then for Chelsea in England

His death follows a battle with pancreatic cancer, with his condition deteriorating in the week before Christmas and the family rushing to his bedside in a London hospital.

Sampdoria fans also showed their support until the end when they hung a supportive banner outside the London hospital where he was treated.

“I am deeply saddened,” said Gabriele Gravina, president of the Italian Football Federation.

“I kept hoping until the end that he could pull off another miracle, but I take comfort in the knowledge that what he did for Italian football and the blue jersey will never be forgotten.

“Gianluca was a great person and leaves a void in the national team and for all who appreciate his exceptional human qualities that cannot be filled.”

Vialli was diagnosed with the disease for a second time in 2021 after being given the all-clear in April 2020 after a 17-month battle.

Vialli wins the Champions League after Juventus beat Ajax on penalties in the 1996 final

Last year, a candid Vialli opened up about how “fragile” he was and that he never believed he would win a battle with cancer.

“I was a player and a strong man, but also a fragile one and I think someone who could recognize himself. I’m here with my flaws, fears and a desire to do something important,” Vialli said.

“I don’t have a fight with cancer because I don’t think I could win it, I’m a much stronger opponent.

“Cancer is an unwanted travel companion, but I can’t help it. He got on the train with me and I must keep traveling, head down, never giving up, hoping that one day this unwanted guest will tire and let me live peacefully for many years to come, because there are still many things that I want to do.’