Current and former Fiorentina players have been paying tribute to general manager Joe Barone, who died just one day before his 58th birthday, including memories of ‘a shouting match in your office.’
The director and right-hand man of President Rocco Commisso collapsed and suffered cardiac arrest at the team hotel in Bergamo on Sunday afternoon, as the team was preparing to leave for the planned Serie A match against Atalanta.
That game was called off and Barone was rushed to hospital, where he remained in critical condition until his death this afternoon.
Riccardo Sottil posted a touching message on his Instagram Stories and other players have been paying tribute to the man who was in charge of the Fiorentina transfer strategy.
“Ciao Joe, you left us too soon and all this doesn’t seem real, it’s so sad!” wrote midfielder Rolando Mandragora.
“I can only thank you for having wanted me in Florence, for believing in me, for those pats on the back in negative moments, the way you were always present with your fairness and sincerity, the simplicity and affection with which you behaved with me, my family and my little daughter.
“I hope along with my teammates that I can give you what you dreamed of! You will not be forgotten, what you did will live with us and in the Viola Fans forever! Thank you for everything. I hug your wife Camilla, your children and all your family.”
View this post on Instagram
Josip Brekalo referenced Barone’s Italian-American roots with the message: “Rest in peace, boss.”
Lucas Beltran wrote “always in our hearts, rest in peace Joe” and Antonin Barak added “Thank you for everything Joe! You will always have a place in my heart.”
Dodo had a similar sentiment: “Rest in peace Joe, you will always be in my heart,” while Nico Gonzalez noted “Rest in peace Joe! Always in our hearts” and Michael Kayode added “RIP Joe, you will always be in all our hearts.”
Arthur Melo was “Speechless… Condolences to the family. Rest in peace Joe.”
“Ciao Joe, I will carry your precious words with me. Rest in peace,” wrote full-back Fabiano Parisi along with a photograph of their handshake on his first day at the club.
Former players also wanted to pay their condolences to Barone, including Milan striker Luka Jovic, while German Pezzella wrote: “A very sad day for the Barone family and all the Viola people. I send you my condolences and all my love. Rest in peace, Joe.”
Dusan Vlahovic clashed with Barone and Commisso when pushing through the transfer to Juventus, but held no grudges.
“Joe, you left us too soon, but what you did will live forever. Thank you for everything. My thoughts are with the family and the Viola.”
Igor Amrabat, who is on loan at Manchester United, and defender Igor who was sold to Brighton also sent messages on social media with pictures of them with Barone.
“RIP director. We will never forget you, thank you for everything.”
Perhaps the most touching message came from Marco Benassi, who left Fiorentina in bitter circumstances over a contract dispute.
“Ciao Joe. Everybody knew you got along much better with other lads than with me… we often clashed, at times avoided each other, other times like in January a year ago we had a shouting match in your office, but one thing stands out for me more than any other.
“In the last 6 months, every time I came to pick up my kids and would see you at the end of the training session joking with them, passing the ball for them and making them happy, it made me realise that outside of work there is a whole other life that counts for so much more!!!
“On Friday we spoke for the last time at the bar of your beloved Viola Park… I never could’ve imagined such a horrible thing could happen!
“Because the truth is that you arrived at 8am to deal with the senior players, but you left at 9pm when the little ones finished their training session. You looked after every single thing like a good father, as Fiorentina were family for you! Rest in peace, Joe.”