Atalanta Youngster Andrea Rinaldi Dies After Suffering Brain Aneurysm
Tragedy has struck Italian Serie A side Atalanta after their 19-year-old midfielder Andrea Rinaldi died on Monday, three days after suffering a brain aneurysm while training under lockdown.
Rinaldi was taken ill on Friday and was sent to the hospital.
He was on loan at Serie D side Legnano, where he made 23 appearances this season, scoring one goal, before the campaign was halted because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Brain aneurysm is a weakness in a blood vessel in the brain that balloons and fills with blood.
A statement from Legnano confirming the sad news read: “AC Legnano, the city and the entire football universe, at all levels, today live one of their most upsetting days. Andrea Rinaldi, our warrior, has left us. An aneurysm snatched him in the prime of life, with a life ahead of him and with a career that promised bright goals. A sudden and shocking tragedy, impossible even to imagine."
Legnano chairman Giovanni Munafo added: "When Andrea came to training, he came first to greet me. This is a memory I will carry in my heart.
“An extraordinary boy, an example for everyone. On behalf of the club, I express my deepest condolences to the family. We are sure that Andrea, from up there, will be the usual warrior like always, who fought in the middle of the pitch to bring the Legnano fans joy.”
A statement from his parent club Atalanta said: “Just as on the pitch, you were always the last to surrender, this time too you fought with all your might not to fly away too soon - but that kind smile of yours will always remain alive in the hearts of those who had the good fortune to meet you.”
