A 19-year-old footballer, Luca Manolache, tragically passed away after suffering from an unexplained illness that forced him to step away from the sport.
Manolache, who played for Romanian team Metaloglobus București until August 2024, had been dealing with severe symptoms, including fatigue, dizziness, chills, and bloody stools. His condition worsened to the point where he struggled to complete matches, and in one instance, he needed an ambulance after experiencing temporary blindness on the field.
On February 28, while out with a family member, Manolache suddenly fell ill. As his condition deteriorated, he called his mother, telling her, “Mum, Mum, I can’t do it anymore,” before asking, “Do you think I’m dying?”
His mother, Ana, rushed to County Hospital in Târgoviște but was informed en route that her son had already passed away. According to an autopsy, the teenager died after drowning in his own stomach acid following severe internal bleeding.
His former club, Metaloglobus București, expressed their grief in a heartfelt tribute, remembering him as a talented player whose love for football and infectious smile brightened the field. They revealed that after his final match in August, he had reported persistent fatigue, prompting medical examinations that ultimately sidelined him.
“Rest in peace, dear ‘Mano,’” the club posted. “The entire Metaloglobus family stands with his loved ones in this devastating moment.”
