The death of a 21-year-old Spanish football coach identified as Francisco Garcia came as a rude shock to millions of internet users around the globe. Garcia is the youth team coach in a Malaga-based club Atletico Portada Atla. According to a Spanish newspaper Malaga Hoy, Francisco went to seek medical help on Friday after he had a problem with breathing, diagnosis confirmed that he has been infected with the novel COVID-19.
It was also reported that Francisco had an unknown pre-existing health condition that resulted in him being more vulnerable to the virus than usual for his age-grades, even though he was only informed of having leukemia after going to the hospital with symptoms of coronavirus.
Francisco’s death came as shock to the club, even the club president Pep Bueno said that he was told that Mr. Garcia’s health conditions were stable around 7 pm on Sunday, but an hour later what he got was his death news.
The club released a statement to confirm the death; “We want to express our deepest condolences to the family, friends and close friends of our coach Francisco Garcia who has left us, unfortunately.
“Now what do we do without you, Francisco? You were always there with us at Portada or wherever you were needed, helping out. How can we keep covering all those kilometers in the league?
“We don’t know how, but we will surely do it for you. We will not forget you, rest in peace, phenomenon. Until forever. “
Malaga FC also sends condolence message through their twitter handle to Atletico Portada Atla, which translated from Spanish to English said: “From the club, we want to transmit to @AtlPortadaAlta our deepest condolences for the loss of one of its coaches, Francisco García, as well as sending a warm hug to his family and friends. Together we must stop #COVID-19.”
