Riccardo Sottil is one of the Fiorentina players who was in the squad both when Davide Astori and Joe Barone died. ‘We’ll play to lift the trophy you dreamed of.’
The general manager passed away today, just days after the fourth anniversary of captain Astori’s death from cardiac arrest, which was also in the team hotel just before a Serie A match.
The only players who were in the team for both those tragic events are Cristiano Biraghi, Luca Ranieri, Nikola Milenkovic and Sottil.
This afternoon, Sottil wrote a touching message for Barone on his Instagram account.
“Ciao Joe, what immense sadness is in our hearts, it was all so fast that it doesn’t seem real. I write you these words with a lump in my throat, they are words that come from the depths of my heart and I want to dedicate them to you.
“You were the person who believed in me from the very first training sessions you watched at Moena when you arrived at this club, you always fought in the front line for us all, never backing down.
“How many times we spoke, how many times you called me into your room to talk about me and how much you wanted to see me reach the top, always, so many jokes on my shot towards the far post, but I can only say THANK YOU JOE for the way you treated me from the first day.
“It will not be easy, but when we step onto the field, Fiorentina will play above all for you and try to lift the trophy that you dreamed of.
“I send a hug to all your family, your children. May the earth rest lightly on you. Riki.”
On his Instagram Stories, Sottil also included images of Barone smiling next to him, but above all video of Barone taking free kicks so that Sottil could practice his headers at the far post.
The FIGC announced that there will be a minute’s silence before all matches in the weekend after international duty, in memory of Barone.