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“Rest in Peace” – Thousands Join Christian Pulisic’s AC Milan in Mourning Tragic Loss of Ex-European Champion

Published 09/24/2023, 8:30 AM EDT

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In the world of soccer, where emotions frequently surge on the field, today, they are profound with sorrow. Just hours ago, the soccer fraternity was shocked by the tragic demise of a former European champion. Thousands have joined Christian Pulisic’s AC Milan to mourn the loss of an Italian legend, offering their respects and saying goodbye to a remarkable figure in the soccer world.

The former AC Milan midfielder was a significant part of the Rossoneri’s golden history, helping them win the first two European titles. 

Soccer world mourns the loss of a legend in AC Milan’s history 

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Giovanni Lodetti was a defensive midfielder and held a prominent position within the Rossoneri ranks during the 1960s. He amassed an impressive record of 276 league appearances and 24 goals for Milan between 1961 and 1970. He also secured a multitude of trophies with the club, including two Serie A titles, two European Cups, the Clubs’ Cup Winners Cup, an Intercontinental Cup, and the Coppa Italia. Beyond Milan, Lodetti also had stints at Sampdoria for four seasons and Foggia for two, ultimately concluding his playing career with Novara from 1976-78.

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On the international stage, Lodetti represented Italy 17 times from 1964 to 1968. He played a part in the 1966 World Cup squad and contributed to Italy’s victory in the 1968 European Championships on home turf. Following his successful playing career at the highest level, Lodetti transitioned into television work, where he served as a co-commentator and pundit for Serie A matches for several years. 

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Meanwhile, thousands of fans united to honor the memory of this legendary player on X.

AC Milan joined by thousands in mourning the loss of former European champion 

Yesterday, Giovanni Lodetti passed away at the age of 81, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most distinguished figures in the history of the Rossoneri. AC Milan shared the news on their social media and paid tribute by writing a few heartwarming words. 

While offering sincere condolences to his wife and son, AC Milan wrote, “He had infinite love for Milan, for all his Rossoneri teammates and friends. He ran, fought, won, and lived with his shirt, the Lodetti.” The tribute didn’t end there as the Rossoneri even kept a minute’s silence for both Lodetti and Italy’s former president, Giorgio Napolitano before playing against Verona. 

While a moment of silence was observed, Verona fans initiated chanting. However, their voices were soon overwhelmed by the applause emanating from the San Siro crowd and the players themselves. On social media, AC Milan joined thousands of netizens who reacted to pay their respects to the legendary player. Here are some of those reactions.

One fan was lucky enough to get a picture with Lodetti.

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Undoubtedly, the reactions are testaments to the enduring impact he made on the world of soccer. RIP, Signor Lodetti. 

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Written by:

Abhishek Mishra

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Abhishek Mishra is a soccer writer at EssentiallySports. Abhishek's love for soccer began during his childhood days when he spent most of his time playing and watching the sport. His early exposure to soccer earned him many accolades at district and zonal levels, making him a true sports enthusiast.
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Edited by:

Daniel D'Cruz