How The Football World Reacted To The Death Of Davide Astori
Soccer world got shooked on Sunday morning by the news that Davide Astori, Fiorentina’s captain and a former Italian national team defender, had died suddenly in his hotel room.
Hundreds of Astori’s former teammates, opponents and friends took to social media to pay tribute to the 31-year-old.
La Fiorentina profondamente sconvolta si trova costretta a comunicare che e' scomparso il suo capitano Davide Astori, colto da improvviso malore.
Per la terribile e delicata situazione, e soprattutto per rispetto della sua famiglia si fa appello alla sensibilità di tutti. pic.twitter.com/bFGnkReWEC— ACF Fiorentina (@acffiorentina) March 4, 2018
Italian national team captain and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon posted on Instagram in which he wrote that Astori’s daughter “deserves to know that her father was in all respects a respectable person … a great respectable person.”
“You were the best expression of an old-fashioned, ancient world, in which values such as altruism, elegance, education and respect for others, were [paramount],” Buffon wrote. “Sincere congratulations, you were one of the best sports figures I ever came across.”
Rest in peace Davide ?? #rip #astori pic.twitter.com/rE02EJj1hU
— Fabio Cannavaro (@fabiocannavaro) March 4, 2018
Astori started his football from AC Milan’s academy before departing for Cagliari. Milan legend Franco Baresi wrote on Twitter: “Incredulous, a tragedy, I am without words. I watched you grow up and was proud of the path you were making. I cling to the pain of your family. RIP Davide.”
Former Milan player Clarence Seedorf, who played against Astori, sent his condolences.
“Life is precious and we need to enjoy every day of it. I send my most sincere condolences to Davide’s family and I thank you Davide for having been a great opponent on the pitch and for all you have done for football. Rest In Peace.”,Seedorf added.
Shocked about the terrible news about Davide #Astori. Thoughts are with his family, his friends and of course players and staff of @acffiorentina ??? #RIP pic.twitter.com/vyL2B7ZEfU
— Hakan Çalhanoğlu (@hakanc10) March 4, 2018
Former Fiorentina manager Roberto Mancini said: “I learned with great pain what happened to Davide Astori. My condolences to the family.”
Milan official Twitter account called Astori “a man who loved football and who grew up as [a] footballer with us.”
After spending several years with Cagliari, Astori spent one season at Roma. Roma legend Francesco Totti, whom Astori spent that one season with, wrote: “Shocked, incredulous and speechless over this tragedy. I am close to the family and friends of Davide #Astori.”
Turned 31 in january
Became a father 2 weeks back
Was MOTM in his last competitive game for Fiorentina
Life is Unpredictable
Rest in Peace Davide ?#rip #Fiorentina #Captain pic.twitter.com/8Mv2kmHJn9— CISC-Kolkata (@CISCKolkata) March 4, 2018
Outside Italian football many were touched by Astori’s death as well. Spain and Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos said he was “shocked by the sad news,” and wrote, “a hug to his family and to all of Fiorentina.”