A teenage footballer was on the phone with his mother in his final moments after battling a mysterious illness.
Luca Manolache, 19, had been a player for Romanian club Metaloglobus București until August 2024, when a series of alarming health issues forced him to step away from the sport.
He reportedly experienced extreme fatigue, dizziness, chills, and bloody stools, struggling to make it through even the first half of a match in recent months.
According to The Mirror, during one game, his symptoms worsened so severely that he had to be taken away in an ambulance after telling teammates that his vision had gone black.
On February 28, while out with a family member, Luca’s condition took a turn for the worse, prompting them to call emergency services. As his health rapidly declined, he reached out to his mother.
He reportedly said, “Mum, Mum, I can’t do it anymore,” before asking her, “Do you think I’m dying?”
His mother, Ana, rushed to County Hospital in Târgoviște, Romania, hoping to be by his side, but tragically, she was informed on the way that Luca had already passed away.
An autopsy later determined that the cause of death was drowning in his own stomach acid.
Reports indicate that after vomiting a large amount of blood, his body reacted severely to the stomach acid, ultimately leading to his death.
Sharing their grief on Instagram, Metaloglobus București posted: “We are shocked and deeply saddened by this tragic loss. His love for football and his smile brought happiness on the field.
“His last appearance in the Metaloglobus shirt was on August 24, 2024, in the match against CS Afumați, playing 10 minutes as a substitute.
“Following the game, he complained of fatigue during training, prompting the technical staff to remove him from practice and advise a full medical examination.
“Rest in peace, dear ‘Mano.’ Sincere condolences to the grieving family—the entire Metaloglobus family stands with you in these devastating moments.”