Italian soccer player Davide Astori was found dead in his hotel room the morning of March 4, 2018. The cause of death was later determined to be “cardio-circulatory arrest due to natural causes.” His teammates became concerned when he did not arrive on time to team breakfast. The hotel management proceeded to check on him after he did not answer the phone and found him unresponsive. His Club later released an official statement,
“A profoundly shocked Fiorentina are compelled to announce that their captain Davide Astori, who was struck by an unexpected sudden illness, has passed away.”
Astori was known for his talented defending and great leadership as team captain for Fiorentina. His death not only affected his long-term girlfriend and a two year-old daughter, but also all soccer fans and players across the world. Astori was a well-known soccer player in Europe and had been playing for almost his whole life, starting at age 6. He started his soccer career with Cagliari, then made 174 appearances in Sardinia and earned his first Italy cap against Ukraine. In Europe, a player receives a cap each time they play in a soccer game at international level. He would later be capped 14 times total by Italy.
Astori was known as being a loyal, passionate and committed soccer player. The week following his death, UEFA and Europa league held moments of silence during each soccer game in tribute to Astori. His death impacted soccer fans outside of Europe as well.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Davide Astori who passed away at the age of 31,” tweeted FIFA.com.
Shortly after Astori’s death, his jersey, number 13, was retired by Fiorentina. Fiorentina also renamed their training grounds after the former defender, “Centro Sportivo Davide Astori.” Thousands could also be seen gathering to commemorate Astori in one of Florence’s main squares at his funeral. Banners were hung throughout the streets reading: “Per Sempre Nostro Capitano-Forever our captain.”
“Florence will never forget its fallen warrior and the songs about him, we are sure, will be heard many more times. ‘Davide is one of us’ is the chorus which accompanies the exit from the square of the car carrying Astori’s body. The body, and only that, because the soul of Davide is Florence and it will never leave,” commented the GOAL.
Photo courtesy of the Daily Record