Italian international defender Domenico Criscito told RIA Novosti he is “shocked” by the death of his friend Piermario Morosini, who suffered a heart attack while playing in the Italian league on Saturday.
Morosini, 25, collapsed while playing on loan for Livorno and was taken to a hospital, but doctors were unable to revive him.
“I’m shocked by this news,” Criscito, also 25, told RIA Novosti in a recent interview. “He was a brilliant guy.”
The two had bonded while playing for the Italian youth national teams, the Zenit St. Petersburg defender said.
“We shared a hotel room for four whole years with the different national sides, from the schoolboys’ team to the under-21s.”
The two had drifted apart recently, Criscito said.
“Recently we almost never saw each other and rarely talked, but I will always have the best memories of him.”
Morosini’s parents died months apart before he turned 16, and his disabled brother committed suicide soon afterward.
“At a young age he lost his parents, then he lost his brother. And now he himself has gone to Heaven,” Criscito said.
“He’s gone to Heaven, to his family. I will always remember him. He was my friend and an excellent guy. Goodbye, friend.”
Udinese, the club which employed Morosini, confirmed Monday that it will provide financial support for life for Morosini's disabled sister, who relied on him.
Italy’s top flight, Serie A, has cancelled all of next weekend’s fixtures as a mark of respect for Morosini.
