Back to the Soccer Newsfeed

O captain, my captain – Fiorentina's Saponara in emotional Astori tribute

Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Saponara produced an emotional tribute to Davide Astori after the death of La Viola's captain.

Astori, 31, was found dead in his hotel room prior to Sunday's match against Udinese.

Results of an autopsy are yet to be revealed, though Udine's public prosecutor Antonio De Nicolo said on Sunday it was likely Astori "died of cardiac arrest by natural causes."

Tributes have poured in from across world football following the centre-back's passing and Saponara, a team-mate of Astori's since the start of the season, penned a particularly moving message.

Using his official Instagram account, Saponara wrote: "O captain, my captain.