Atalanta midfielder Andrea Rinaldi dies aged 19 from a brain aneurysm suffered while training at home during coronavirus lockdown

  • Andrea Rinaldi died at the age of 19 after suffering a brain aneurysm at home
  • The Atalanta midfielder, who had been on loan Serie D club Legnano, fell critically ill on Friday and was taken to hospital before he died three days later 
  • Both clubs paid tribute to 'golden boy' Rinaldi as they mourned his tragic passing
  • Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

By Nathan Salt For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Atalanta midfielder Andrea Rinaldi has tragically died at the age of 19 after suffering a brain aneurysm at his home on Friday. 

The teenager was observing the national lockdown due to COVID-19 and was training at home when he became critically ill on Friday.  

Rinaldi, who was on loan from Atalanta at Italian fourth division side Legnano, was taken to a hospital in Varese where he sadly died on Monday.  

Atalanta teenager Andrea Rinaldi died aged 19 having suffered a brain aneurysm at his home

Atalanta teenager Andrea Rinaldi died aged 19 having suffered a brain aneurysm at his home

Rinaldi became critically ill on Friday before being taken to a hospital due to his condition

Rinaldi became critically ill on Friday before being taken to a hospital due to his condition

An Atalanta statement read: 'Just as on the pitch, you were always the last to surrender, this time too you fought with all your might not to fly away too soon - but that kind smile of yours will always remain alive in the hearts of those who had the good fortune to meet you.' 


Legnano confirmed the cause of death was an aneurysm and they paid an emotional tribute to Rinaldi, a person they described as a 'golden boy'. 

'AC Legnano, the city and the entire football universe, at all levels, today live one of their most upsetting days,' the statement began. 

Rinaldi was on loan at fourth-tier Legnano and the club paid tribute to an 'extraordinary boy'

Rinaldi was on loan at fourth-tier Legnano and the club paid tribute to an 'extraordinary boy'

'Andrea Rinaldi, our warrior, has left us. An aneurysm snatched him in the prime of life, with a life ahead of him and with a career that promised bright goals. A sudden and shocking tragedy, impossible even to imagine.' 

Rinaldi had emerged from Atalanta's youth academy having joined the Bergamo-based club from the age of 13. 

In 2016, he was part of the squad that won the Under-17 league title and Super Cup.

At the beginning of his career in senior football, Rinaldi, who was to turn 20 on June 23, spent last season on loan at Imolese in Serie C and Mezzolara in Serie D, before joining Legnano in 2019-20.

The midfielder made 23 appearances for the fourth division side this season, scoring once, and the club chairman Giovanni Munafo described Rinaldi as an 'extraordinary boy' who had a 'warrior' spirit. 

He was part of the Atalanta side who went on to win the Under-17 Serie A league title in 2016 - here he is seen celebrating a goal in the final against Inter Milan

He was part of the Atalanta side who went on to win the Under-17 Serie A league title in 2016 - here he is seen celebrating a goal in the final against Inter Milan

'When Andrea came to training, he came first to greet me. This is a memory I will carry in my heart,' Munafo said, via Goal. 

'An extraordinary boy, an example for everyone. On behalf of the club, I express my deepest condolences to the family. 

'We are sure that Andrea, from up there, will be the usual warrior like always, who fought in the middle of the pitch to bring the Legnano fans joy.'

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