Tributes have poured in after 13-year-old ‘Gentle Prince’ passed away from cancer.
The young lad battled the disease for six years.
Alessandro Postal was dubbed the ‘Gentle Prince’ due to his polite, sensitive and sweet demeanour despite battling cancer from just seven years of age.
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He passed away in hospital in Padua, Italy, where he received treatment for the last six years, as reported by Need To Know.
Alessandro, who came from Verona, was supported by his father Marco, mother Federica, and brother Filippo throughout his battle.
Alberto Stefani, president of Veneto region, said on social media: “Alessandro Postal was only 13 years old, an age of friends, dreams, and a future to imagine.
“Not of hospitals. Not of battles against an inescapable disease. Yet Alessandro faced that battle with strength beyond his years.
“He was only seven years old when he was diagnosed with cancer, robbing him of the carefree joy of childhood and school.
“But his smile never faded.
“His words said it all: ‘it’s not fair, but it’s the way it is’, ‘I’m enjoying it anyway, don’t worry’.
“That earned him the nickname by which he will always be remembered: Gentle Prince.
“We send our thoughts and prayers to his family and local community.”
His father Marco, a well-known amateur football coach for Audace, remembered his son in a touching post.
He wrote: “Thank you Alessandro, for everything you taught us.
“During your long period of suffering, which was also in silence, you were an example for the whole Audace team, day after day.
“We will remember your tenacity, your great strength, your will to fight.
“We knew how unfair life was, but we never believed it could be this unfair.”
Many other football clubs in Verona paid tribute to the youngster.
Povegliano, where Alessandro’s brother Filippo plays, displayed a banner in honour of the Gentle Prince.
A spokesperson said: “The entire ACD Povegliano team extends its heart to Filippo, his father Marco, and mother Federica for the untimely loss of their brother Alessandro.”
A spokesperson for the club SSD Vigasio said: “We send our condolences to Marco Postal, director of Audace Calcio, for the loss of his 13-year-old son Alessandro.
“The entire club extends its deepest condolences to Marco and his family.”
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