A father-of-three footballer collapsed and died on the pitch while playing a five-a-side match.
Giampiero Antonio Garrido Yanez felt unwell, clutched his chest, and fell to the ground.
His teammates, lifelong friends, and brother immediately realised what was happening and called for emergency services.
READ MORE: Skier mauled by snow leopard after getting too close to it…but miraculously survives
Paramedics arrived promptly and spent over an hour trying to resuscitate the defender, alternating between chest compressions and a defibrillator.
Sadly, their efforts were in vain.
The tragedy occurred on a futsal pitch in Genoa, Italy, where Giampiero – originally from Valparaíso, Chile – lived on Thursday evening (22 Jan).
The 30-year-old was registered with ASD Recreativo 2019, which plays in the eighth-tier Genoese Seconda Categoria league.
He was also part of the amateur team Sotto il Pontos FC in the AICS – Settore Calcio Liguria recreational league.
Local media report that his last match in the latter league was on 17 December.
Giampiero’s doctor had recently advised him against playing sports due to pre-existing health issues, as reported by Need To Know.
The Genoa Prosecutor’s Office has ordered a post-mortem examination, though it is widely believed he died of cardiac arrest.
Prosecutors also want to clarify whether the match was “official”, if Giampiero was still registered as a player, and whether he had undergone the mandatory medical checks required for sporting events.
Growing up, Giampiero idolised Henrik Larsson of Celtic.
He leaves behind a wife and three children, the youngest just one year old.
Tributes have flooded in online.
Alexandra wrote: “Back in 2005, I was just five years old, sitting in the stands watching you play. You were like an older brother back then…
“At that time, we were one big family, sharing one home. We grow up, we drift apart, but the love stays, and so do the memories…
“Rest in peace, ‘Giampi’.
“May you find a soft football pitch among the clouds where you can keep playing.”
READ MORE: Chilling moment man spotted on driveway ‘scanning for keys to unlock cars’
