Former Chelsea player-manager Gianluca Vialli says he feels "very fortunate" after being given the all-clear from pancreatic cancer.
The 55-year-old announced in November 2018 that he was in the midst of undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
But Vialli received positive news when recent tests showed no sign of the illness following two cycles of chemotherapy treatment.
The Italian, who achieved iconic status with Chelsea fans after guiding them to the FA Cup in 1997 before clinching a League Cup and Uefa Cup Winners' Cup double in 1998, has now opened up on his cancer battle.
“I am fine,” Vialli told Italian newspaper La Repubblica.
“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, funerals that could not be celebrated. It's terrible.
"This crisis will leave enormous scars on the country; emotional, moral and economic scars.”
