Manuel Pasqual “went out to dinner only a few days ago” with Davide Astori, his former Fiorentina and Italy teammate, who has died aged 31.
Astori was found this morning in his hotel room, having died in his sleep of cardiac arrest ahead of the Viola’s match with Udinese.
“This morning when I heard the news, everything stopped, everything lost meaning faced with what happened,” wrote Empoli full-back Pasqual on social media.
Manuel Pasqual “went out to dinner only a few days ago” with Davide Astori, his former Fiorentina and Italy teammate, who has died aged 31.
Astori was found this morning in his hotel room, having died in his sleep of cardiac arrest ahead of the Viola’s match with Udinese.
“This morning when I heard the news, everything stopped, everything lost meaning faced with what happened,” wrote Empoli full-back Pasqual on social media.
“The anger, the sadness, the deep pain I felt in those moments are difficult to explain. I had the good fortune, but above all the pleasure, of knowing you and being your friend.
“We met on international duty, but when we found each other again at Fiorentina, there was immediately a good rapport. So many battles fought together, but above all a loyal friend with which to share everything on and off the field.
“When I left Florence, I was proud to leave the captain’s band on your arm, because I always thought you were the right man to wear it.
“Only a few days ago we went out to dinner together, talking and joking as always, about football and not only that, because the friendship that tied us went a long way beyond the pitch. Ciao Asto.”