Tributes have flooded in from acro s the football world following the tragic announcement that Fiorentina captain Davide Astori has pa sed away at the age of 31.
in a statement from the Serie A side, which read: Fiorentina are profoundly shaken and forced to announce that their captain Davide Astori has died.
For this terrible and delicate situation, and above all out of respect for his family, we appeal to the sensitivity of the media.
The centre-back, who had been capped 14 times by Italy, died suddenly in his sleep as Fiorentina prepared for a meeting with Udinese.
That game has been postponed as a mark of respect, with all other fixtures acro s the Italian top-flight following suit.
The news has rocked Astoris fellow profe sionals, with many taking to social media to expre s their sadne s and offer their condolences.
Former AC Milan midfielder Kevin Prince-Boateng was among the first.
Rest In Heaven
Kevin-Prince Boateng (@KPBofficial)
Radja Nainggolan played alongside Astori at Cagliari and Roma, and posted: A great player Sam Mills Jerseys , but even more than that, a great personHow many battles we were in together at Cagliari, then found each other again at Roma I still cant believe it My thoughts are with his family and those close to him RIP.
A post Deonte Harris Jerseys shared by (@radjanainggolan.4) on Mar 4, 2018 at 3:12am PST
Juventus forward Paulo Dybala posted: "Without words: Rest in peace Davide Astori."
Senza parole. Riposa in pace Davide Astori
Paulo Dybala (@PauDybala_JR)
Roma director Monchi said: "I know the suffering, what you feel, the pain you feel because, unfortunately, I experienced it in person with the unfortunate Antonio Puerta. I wish a lot of courage to his family, his friends and his companions, to Fiorentina and to Italian football. RIP Davide Astori."
Conosco la sofferenza, quello che si sente, il dolore che si prova perch purtroppo l'ho vi suto in prima persona con lo sfortunato Antonio Puerta.Auguro molto coraggio ai suoi familiari, ai suoi amici e ai suoi compagni, alla Fiorentina e al calcio italiano. RIP Davide Astori
Monchi (@leonsfdo)
Franco Baresi, the legendary AC Milan defender admitted he was "speechle s" at the news regarding a player who came through the San Siro side's ranks. "Incredulous, a tragedy, I am without words. I watched you grow up and was proud of the path you were making. I cling to the pain of your family. RIP Davide," he said.
Incredulo, una tragedia sono senza parole, ti ho visto crescere e orgoglioso del percorso che stavi facendo. Mi stringo al dolore della famiglia RIP Davide
Franco Baresi (@FBaresi)
Former Milan striker Alexandre Pato also paid tribute sayingvia his Weibo account: "I am very sad to know that Italian football player Davide Astori died today. No words. My deep condolences and thoughts are with his family.
Former New Orleans Saints Pet Gear Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who is a Fiorentina supporter, posted: "It seems impo sible to me. I am incredulous and I cry with your family and with all of Fiorentina. Ciao Capitano."
Mi sembra impo sibile. Sono incredulo e piango con la sua famiglia e con tutta la Fiorentina. Ciao Capitano.
Matteo Renzi (@matteorenzi)
Borja Valero, who played with Astori at Fiorentina, said: "I cannot believe it, I do not want to believe it ... it's surreal ... rest in peace Davide."
Non ci po so credere, non voglio crederci... surreale...riposa in pace Davide
Borja Valero (@borjavalero20)
Another former Viola star, Khouma Babacar, added: I have no words to describe this marvellous person. I am not talking Shy Tuttle Jerseys about on the pitch, but off it. Always smiling, you are the first to run towards me when I score a goal and even sprint 70 metres plus to reach me. Ciao brother. Condolences to all his family and to football, because there are few men like him in the world now.
AC Milan and Italy centre-back Leonardo Bonucci also had a touching me sage: "Ciao Grande Asto. That's what I called you when we'd meet, for a game that saw us as opponents or for a Nazionale get-together. A smile, an embrace one of the real ones a person who was fair, honest and humble. How many times we laughed, joked and celebrated together. How many chats at the table sat side-by-side, or along the corridor that at Coverciano takes us to the Italy training camp bedrooms, on the pitch, or in the rooms. 'Come on Leo, do a sweeping pa s like only you know how' was what you kept repeating to me during tactical training se sions. With that smile that never ended and that made it clear how much goodne s there was within you. You have gone to play football up there and you'll do it with the same big smile. The smile you always had."
A post shared by (@el.puma30) Aldrick Rosas Jerseys on Mar 4, 2018 at 3:42am PST
Roma icon Francesco Totti said: "Shocked, incredulous and speechle s over this tragedy. I am close to the family and friends of Davide #Astori."
Scioccato, incredulo e senza parole per questa tragedia. Sono vicino alla famiglia e agli amici di Davide .
Francesco Totti (@Totti)
From Inter legend Javier Zanetti: "Rest in peace. Davide. There are no other words."
Riposa in pace, Davide.Non ci sono altre parole.
Javier Zanetti (@javierzanetti)
Italy's World Cup-winning captain from 2006, Fabio Cannavaro, joined the tributes.
Rest in peace Davide
Fabio Cannavaro (@fabiocannavaro)
Andrea Pirlo added, suggesting that "in the end, the best always go first".
Senza parole.. alla fine se ne vanno sempre i migliori... buon viaggio amico mio. RIP
Andrea Pirlo (@Pirlo_official)
Albin Ekdal, who was at Cagliari with Astori:
I will mi s you my friend Riposa in pace Davide
Albin Ekdal (@EkdalAlbin)
Vincenzo Montella, who has previously spent time in Andrus Peat Jerseys charge of Fiorentina, posted: There is pain that no word can represent. The sudden death of Davide is a wound that hurts the skin, the heart. His smile and his moral purity are within all of us who had the privilege to walk beside him. Ciao, captain.
Ci sono dolori che ne suna parola pu rappresentare. La scomparsa improvvisa di Davide una ferita che fa male alla pelle, al cuore. Il suo sorriso e la sua pulizia morale sono dentro tutti noi che abbiamo avuto il privilegio di camminargli accanto. Ciao, capitano
Vincenzo Montella (@VMontella)
Former Milan and Juventus manager Carlo Ancelotti said: "What terrible ne
