‘Cancer Still Scares Me’: Former Juventus Star Gianluca Vialli Claims

Ex-Juventus striker Gianluca Vialli has said ‘physically I feel good’ after defeating cancer but remains ‘very scared’ that the illness could return.

Following two years battling the deadly disease, Vialli, who made a total of 145 appearances for the Old Lady, was given the all-clear last month.

Ahead of the release of his new book, ‘Goals: Inspirational Stories to Help Tackle Life’s Challenges’, the Italian spoke to The Times newspaper.

“You never know until it’s been a few years with no problems,” he told the news outlet.

“Physically I feel good. I think I’ve got my muscles back. I’ve been working out every other day with my wife. But I am still very scared and very preoccupied.

“One thing that will take a long time to get rid of is that feeling, whenever you wake up or go to sleep with a little tummy ache or headache or a bit of temperature, to think, ‘Oh my God, it’s back.’ You are fragile.

“I never thought that being a footballer I was invincible, I knew I was human. Nobody wants something like this but when it does [happen], you have to look at it as an opportunity to get to know yourself better — the way you were, the way you are and how you want to be in the future.

“It’s inevitable that you find out about your true self. There was so much I realised I had to work on, to try to improve.”

The 55-year-old, who underwent Chemotherapy during his treatment, revealed meditation played a key part of his recovery process, which helped him along his ‘journey’.

“Then my daughters helped, and I got my wife advising which [make-up] looks better. We laughed. You have to laugh. You need to find the funny side if you can.”

“I never meditated before. I wish I’d started when I was a footballer or more importantly when I was a manager. It might have saved me from insanity.

“Of course we are all human. I can still get upset over something trivial. But I am more mindful, more aware that it’s trivial. Mindfulness is very important. It was tough in the beginning. Now I love it.

“I hear people say ‘fight with cancer’. It’s not a battle for me. It’s more like a journey. I see it as a journey with an unwanted travel companion and I want to outlast it.”

The former Chelsea manager and player, who is now part of the Italy national team coaching set-up, sees him work alongside ex-Sampdoria strike partner Roberto Mancini.

“Being on the bus, the music pumping, hugging the players before the match, the national anthem, the joy afterwards…

“I was missing football and I didn’t realise how much. What I would say to players [now] is this is a time when you can know more about yourself than ever before.

“You should look at this with curiosity. Playing behind closed doors: is this going to affect me? What are the mental challenges?

“A crisis is an opportunity to grow. It’s a time to look at their emotions, to share them. They shouldn’t be ashamed of being scared.”

Serie A is due to resume behind closed doors on June 13.