Pictured
TEARS FOR DAVIDE
Davide Astori dead aged 31: Heartbreaking pictures show the moment Genoa players learn that Fiorentina captain and Italy star has died just moments before kick-off
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THESE are the heartbreaking pictures which show Serie A players leaving the pitch distraught after finding out Davide Astori had died.
The Fiorentina captain and Italy international tragically passed away in his sleep aged 31 just hours before a clash at Udinese.
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All Serie A fixtures have since been postponed as Italian football mourns the death of the defender.
Photos from today's organised early kick-off between Genoa and Cagliari show the dramatic moment players are told of the tragic news.
Referee Fabrizio Pasqua told players including former Inter Milan and Napoli striker Goran Pandev just minutes before the match was due to start.
Genoa stars can be seen covering their mouths with their hands in shock and lowering their heads as they exit the pitch.
Fiorentina captain and Italy international football player Davide Astori's body removed by coroner
DAVIDE ASTORI – WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR:
- Astori travelled with Fiorentina squad on Saturday ahead of Serie A clash with Udinese
- When club captain did not arrive at team breakfast at 9.30am, team-mates broke down hotel room door to find Astori dead
- Reports in Italy claim Astori died of natural causes in his sleep – with no warning signs
- He leaves behind long-term girlfriend Francesca Fioretti and their two-year-old daughter Vittoria
- Pictures show Genoa players distraught as they are told news ahead of Serie A’s 12.30 kick-off
- Serie A announce all league fixtures on Sunday are postponed
- Italian football legends Francesco Totti and Gianluigi Buffon lead emotional tributes
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Fiorentina captain Davide Astori models Dolce and Gabbana for Men’s Health
Players leaving the pitch were reportedly left in tears after the shock news.
Spectators can also be seen in a state of disbelief as the Stadio Luigi Ferraris was made aware of the tragedy via the big screen.
'SHOCKED, SPEECHLESS' Francesco Totti and Andrea Pirlo lead tributes as world football mourns Davide Astori’s shock death
Genoa released the following statement: "Genoa participates in mourning the sudden death of Italy national and Fiorentina captain Davide Astori.
"The game against Cagliari has been postponed with a new date to be set."
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Cagliari, who Astori spent eight years with, wrote: "With our jersey you made your dreams, you made goals in the national, you were out brave captain.
"You made yourself loved by our people and you loved our club. Goodbye Davide."
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Fiorentina announced: "A profoundly shocked Fiorentina are compelled to announce that their captain Davide Astori, who was struck by an unexpected sudden illness, has passed away.
“For this terrible and delicate situation, and above all out of respect for his family, we appeal to the sensitivity of the media.”
Who was Davide Astori?
Davide Astori was born in Bergamo and played for local team Pontisola before joining AC Milan in 2006.
Two years later he moved to Cagliari – the club where he would make his name.
The centre-back would go on to make 174 appearances in Sardinia, and earn his first Italy cap against Ukraine in 2011.
A year later, out of loyalty to Cagliari, he turned down a bumper £12m move to Spartak Moscow.
Around the same time, he was scouted as a long-term replacement for Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic by then-Manchester United boss David Moyes.
In 2014, Astori agreed a season-long loan to Roma for £1.8m and the Giallorossi paid a further £4.5m to make the deal permanent.
But a day before the transfer was set to go through, he instead agreed a new contract with Cagliari.
A loan to current club Fiorentina was then agreed with an obligation to buy.
Astori went on to make 78 appearances for the club before his untimely death in March, 2018.
Dad-of-one Astori passed away ahead of his side’s Serie A game against Udinese. All seven of today’s fixtures in the Italian top flight have been postponed as a mark of respect.
Reports claimed his team-mates broke down his hotel room door when he failed to show for breakfast or answer his phone.
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The centre-back had 14 caps for his country after making his debut in 2011 and had enjoyed a professional career spanning 12 years, which also took in the 2013 Confederations Cup.
Italy legends Francesco Totti and Andrea Pirlo led the tributes to Astori.
Roma hero Totti wrote: "Shocked, incredulous and speechless for this tragedy. They are close to Davide’s family and friends.”
While former AC Milan star Pirlo posted a photo of himself alongside Astori, writing: “Without words. In the end they always leave the best… good trip my friend. RIP.”
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