Gianluigi Buffon and Antonio Conte lead tributes to Fiorentina captain Davide Astori

Sport360 staff 20:38 04/03/2018
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    • Davide Astori's sudden and tragic death has shocked the footballing world.

    The tributes poured in for Fiorentina captain Davide Astori, with the world of football shocked by the news of the 31-year-old’s death due to a sudden illness on Sunday.

    Astori also played for Roma, Cagliari, and AC Milan, as well as the Italian national team, and was a well-liked and much-respected player in Serie A.

    Fiorentina’s emotions of sorrow and shock were overflowing in their official statement, saying, “Fiorentina are deeply upset to report that captain Davide Astori has died of a sudden illness.

    “For the terrible and delicate situation, and above all for the respect of his family, sensitivity is called for.”

    Chelsea boss Antonio Conte paid an emotional tribute to the player he selected during his reign as Italy coach from 2014 to 2016 – and was visibly distressed when he spoke about the star.

    Speaking ahead of the Blues’ clash with Manchester City, Conte told Sky Sports: “This is a tragedy and it really hurts me. It’s very difficult at this moment to find the right words for the family.

    “I had him with the national team. He was a great player but especially a fantastic guy. I stay close to his wife, parents and daughter. He was only 31 and it’s very difficult to explain this situation.”

    Meanwhile, former club Cagliari tweeted: “With our shirt you have made your dreams come true, you scored in the national team, you were our brave captain, you made yourself loved by our people and you loved our land. Goodbye, Davide.”

    Among players, Gianluigi Buffon led the tributes with a moving post on Instagram.

    Ciao caro Asto, difficilmente ho espresso pubblicamente un pensiero riguardo una persona, perché ho sempre lasciato che la bellezza e l'unicità di rapporti, di reciproca stima e affetto, non venissero strumentalizzati o gettati in pasto a chi non ha la delicatezza per rispettare certi legami. Nel tuo caso, sento di fare un'eccezione alla mia regola, perché hai una moglie giovane e dei familiari che staranno soffrendo,ma soprattutto la tua piccola bimba, merita di sapere che il suo papà era a tutti gli effetti una PERSONA PERBENE.....una GRANDE PERSONA PERBENE....eri l'espressione migliore di un mondo antico, superato, nel quale valori come l'altruismo, l'eleganza, l'educazione e il rispetto verso il prossimo, la facevano da padroni. Complimenti davvero, sei stata una delle migliori figure sportive nella quale mi sono imbattuto. R.I.P. Il tuo folle Gigi.

    A post shared by Gianluigi Buffon (@gianluigibuffon) on

    Buffon’s post reads: “Hello dear Asto, I hardly publicly expressed a thought about a person, because I have always thought that the beauty and the uniqueness of relationships, mutual respect and affection, were not exploited or thrown into the meal to those who do not have the delicacy to respect certain ties.

    “In your case, I feel I am making an exception to my rule, because you have a young wife and family members who are suffering, but especially your little girl, deserves to know that her father was in all respects a perfect person, a great perfect person.

    “You were the best expression of an ancient, surpassed world, in which values such as altruism, elegance, education and respect for others, were masters. Congratulations indeed, you were one of the best sports figures in which I came across. RIP.”

    He was joined by Italy legends Franco Baresi and Andrea Pirlo.

    “I saw you grow up and [was] proud of the path you were taking,” said Baresi.

    Pirlo’s message read, “No words. In the end, the best always leave. Good journey, my friend.”

    Claudio Marchisio posted his condolences on Instagram.

    Claudio Marchisio posted his condolences on Instagram.

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