Bonucci: ‘Vialli’s words got inside you’ and were decisive at EURO 2020
MILAN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 23: Gianluca Vialli of Italy looks on before the UEFA Nations League League A Group 3 match between Italy and England at San Siro on September 23, 2022 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Leonardo Bonucci is part of the Italy staff now under Roberto Mancini, but remembers the undeniable impact of Gianluca Vialli on players. ‘His words really got inside you.’
The Azzurri were together winning EURO 2020 with Bonucci in defence, Mancini as the coach, and Vialli as the delegation chief.
Everyone who was part of that experience acknowledges the role that Vialli played in the victory, all the way up to his death in January 2023.
Bonucci pays tribute to Vialli
This evening, an awards ceremony named after Vialli took place in Rimini, and current Italy member of staff Bonucci was among those attending.
“It is always emotional and touching to share moments with Gianluca. I have these unforgettable memories, he set such a great example for not just me, but all those who were fortunate to share time with him,” said Bonucci.
“During the Euros, he was a decisive pillar of that success. Don’t forget, this was a squad that had missed out on the World Cup, and indeed speaking to him the morning after the lost play-off to North Macedonia was when I truly recognised what a great man he was.”
Vialli was famous for his speeches to the team, but Bonucci reveals they were not in the locker room just before going out, but when the squad had time to really consider his message.
“It was the day before matches, when we were all seated at the dinner table. He didn’t need to raise his voice, his words really got inside you.
“He left you with this hunger to get out there and fight to bring home something that became historic.”
Vialli battled cancer for a long time before he succumbed in January 2023 at the age of 58.
“Despite everything he was going through, you’d see him training on the athletics track at Coverciano in the morning, because he wanted to be in good shape. It was a message to all of us, and it meant so much,” concluded Bonucci.
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