19-year-old football player suffocates on his own stomach acid

A tragic incident has unfolded involving a young footballer, whose final words to his mother were revealed after he passed away from a mysterious illness.

Luca Manolache, 19, was a player for the Romanian football club Metaloglobus București until August 2024. However, a series of troubling health issues forced him to step away from the sport.

He began experiencing symptoms like persistent fatigue, dizziness, chills, and bloody stools, making it difficult for him to complete the first half of a match in recent months.

According to reports, during one game, his condition worsened to the point where an ambulance had to be called after Luca complained of vision loss.

On February 28, while out with a family member, Luca called his mother, Ana, feeling unwell. As the ambulance was on its way, he spoke to her on the phone, saying, “Mum, Mum, I can’t do it anymore,” followed by, “Do you think I’m dying?”

Ana rushed to Targoviște County Hospital in Romania to be with him, only to receive the heartbreaking news that Luca had passed away before he could reach the hospital.

An autopsy later confirmed that the cause of death was drowning in his own stomach acid. After vomiting blood, his body reacted severely to the acid, leading to fatal consequences.

The Metaloglobus București team shared their sorrow on social media, stating: “We are devastated by this loss. His love for football and his infectious smile will always be remembered on the field.”

The team also highlighted that Luca’s last appearance for Metaloglobus was on August 24, 2024, during a match against CS Afumati, where he played 10 minutes as a substitute. Afterward, he reported feeling fatigued during training, which led to a recommendation for further medical tests.

“Rest in peace, dear ‘Mano.’ Our heartfelt condolences to his family. The Metaloglobus family stands by you during this difficult time.”