Bonucci: ‘Vialli’s words got inside you’ and were decisive at EURO 2020

Bonucci: ‘Vialli’s words got inside you’ and were decisive at EURO 2020 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 PARMA, ITALY – AUGUST 22: (L-R) Leonardo Bonucci and Roberto Mancini attend the Serie A match between Parma Calcio and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on August 22, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Luca Amedeo Bizzarri/Getty Images) 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.” AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – SEPTEMBER 07: Head coach of Italy Roberto Mancini and Gianluca Vialli of Italy pause for the camera before to the UEFA Nations League group stage match between Netherlands and Italy at Johan Cruijff Arena on September 7, 2020 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) 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.” LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 11: Giorgio Chiellini, Captain of Italy lifts The Henri Delaunay Trophy with coach Roberto Mancini following his team’s victory in the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Final between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium on July 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/UEFA via Getty Images) 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.