Italian soccer player Mattia Giani has tragically died suddenly at just 26 years old, according to reports.
A report from the Daily Mail reveals Giani dropped dead on the field mid-game while clutching his chest.
He reportedly collapsed seconds after he took a shot at goal in the 15th minute of a game at Lanciotto Campi in Tuscany.
Fans looked on in horror as Giani received emergency medical treatment on the pitch.
Giani, a striker for Italian team Castelfiorentino, was rushed to hospital after efforts to revive the young athlete had failed.
However, medical professionals later confirmed that he had died after suffering a massive heart attack.
Surprisingly, Italian prosecutors have launched a manslaughter investigation into Giani’s death.
Reports in Italy say investigators want to clarify issues such as the timing of the emergency treatment he received.
The soccer star’s father Sandro Giani has also filed a complaint to “understand how our son died.”
He has questioned how a young athlete in peak physical shape could die so suddenly.
The tragedy happened after Giani took a shot at goal, then fell, holding his chest.
It’s understood his heart stopped beating for several minutes and efforts to resuscitate him on the pitch failed.
Giani was then taken to Florence’s Careggi Hospital where he was confirmed dead.
Italy’s national team star Mancini, whose sister is dating Giani’s brother Elia, joined the outpouring of shock over his death.
And the center-back, 28, dedicated his goal in Thursday’s 2-1 Europa League victory over AC Milan to him.
Mancini told Sky Sports Italia: “My sister and Mattia’s family are suffering.
“The world around them has collapsed, but they will rise again.
“I wanted to dedicate this goal to him.”
R.I.P Mattia Giani
Castelfiorentino striker Mattia Giani passed away after a heart attack.
Died: Age 26 (15 April, 2024 – Italy)
Cause of Death: Heart Attack pic.twitter.com/6AiO839IBV
— Died Suddenly Worldwide (@_DiedSuddenly) April 21, 2024
Mancini also wore a T-shirt with a message in Italian translating as: “Farewell Mattia, forever with us.”
Giani’s girlfriend Sofia Caruso has told of the couple’s “beautiful” last morning together and of his tender last message by phone.
They had been living together for just two days.
She said: “We woke up on Sunday.
“We talked and laughed – it was beautiful.
“Then Matti took the bag. I stayed at home.
“Then his cell phone rang. It was a message from him, the last one.
“He wrote to me, ‘Love, I left you the accreditation for the match in the name of Giani. I love you madly.’
“He always told me that he loved me like crazy and I loved him like crazy too.
“We were thinking about getting married, we said we wanted children.
“Mattia made me understand what love was and he took care of me.
“Matti was a pure and good person.”
Castelfiorentino coach Nico Scaridigli said: “Mattia was a wonderful guy.
“He had a wonderful girlfriend who loved him more than anything.
“From a sporting perspective, he was a good footballer who was fun.
“He always had a knockout shot.
“His career didn’t go as well as he deserved just because of muscle problems.”
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