Vialli: 'Illness not a battle, but a journey'

By Football Italia staff

Gianluca Vialli describes cancer as “not a battle, but a journey, it helps you become who you are,” but the COVID-19 pandemic will “leave enormous scars on the country, emotional, moral and economic scars.”

The former Sampdoria, Juventus and Chelsea striker is more at risk than most from the coronavirus pandemic, as he has been dealing with cancer for almost two years.

“I am fine,” he told La Repubblica newspaper. “In December I finished 17 months of chemotherapy, one cycle of eight months and another of nine. It was difficult, even for someone as tough as me, both physically and mentally.

“The tests showed no sign of the illness. I am happy, even if I say that under my breath to be on the safe side. Regaining my health means seeing myself in the mirror again, seeing the hair grow, not having to draw eyebrows on with a pencil. In that respect, I feel very fortunate compared to many others.

“I think of those brought to hospital and forced to die alone, their relatives not allowed near in case of contagion, then funerals that could not be celebrated. It’s terrible. This crisis will leave enormous scars on the country, emotional, moral and economic scars.”

Vialli feels for those who have struggled with COVID-19 and healthcare workers putting themselves at risk on the frontline, because he has experienced it all.

“In my case, this was not a battle, but a journey, an opportunity for introspection. I would’ve gladly done without this illness, but it happened and so I try to make the most of it. This helps you become who you are.

“You fight the fear of dying by thinking of your desires, concentrating on what you really love and how much we want all those good things to return. In this enormous silence that surrounds us during the lockdown, there is almost a Zen atmosphere. We can hear the birdsong even in the megalopolis of the big city, see how quickly the smog cleared, even after some chose to mock that wonderful young girl, Greta Thunberg.

“It will be wonderful when football and sport return, as emotions and memories will help us to get back to living our full lives. I just hope we maintain this capacity for solidarity in future and expand it. Keep backing the healthcare workers, these generous people of incredible physical and mental strength. Let us not forget them, when this is all over.”

Players have been urged to take pay cuts in order to keep clubs running, but Vialli wants to ensure that money goes to the right people.

“It’s not just athletes who must make a sacrifice. It’s interesting what is happening in England, where the PFA created a solidarity fund from a quota of player wages. They are distributing the money directly to the public health services.

“I would like in future for people to no longer just say ‘your health is the most important thing’, but to actually mean it. No more cuts to public health. No more bridges allowed to crumble. Make the safety and security of every individual the paramount responsibility.

“When all this is over, Italy can play in Bergamo with the doctors and nurses. That day will be a great day.”

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