A 19-year-old football player has tragically died after suffering from an undiagnosed illness for several months.
In his final moments, Luca Manolache made a heartbreaking call to his mother, expressing his fear that he was dying and voicing his despair to a nurse.
The autopsy revealed that the cause of death was drowning due to his own stomach acid and a severe lung infection.
Reports also indicate that he suffered a ruptured aorta, leading to internal bleeding.
His parents, Ana Maria Manolache and Viorel, are devastated by the sudden loss of their son.
Luca, who previously played for FCSB (formerly Steaua Bucharest) and Dinamo, was deeply committed to football and rarely missed a game.
On February 28th, Luca became severely ill while with his mother’s godson, who promptly called for an ambulance.
Ana, who was working in Bucharest, Romania, received a call from her son. During the brief and distressing phone call, Luca expressed his fear, saying, “Mum, Mum, I can’t do it anymore.”
According to Ana, Luca also asked a nurse at the scene, “Do you think I’m going to die?”
In the ambulance, Luca reported losing his vision and being unable to see.
Ana rushed to the County Hospital in Târgoviște, Romania, where her son was taken.
Tragically, she did not arrive in time, and Luca’s sister informed her of his passing.
Doctors fought to save him, but his body reacted severely to his own stomach acid, leading to his death.
Doctors informed Ana that her son’s death was due to extremely unusual circumstances.
Luca was a midfielder for Metaloglobus București but had not played since August 2024.
He had to stop playing because of recurring fatigue, dizziness, and chills.
His team and parents noticed his struggle to complete even half a match.
Initially, his coach suspected a lack of preparation.
In one game, an ambulance was called when Luca reported vision blackouts and weakness.
He experienced convulsions and high fever, but lung X-rays and blood tests were normal.
A physical test showed he could only run for 10 minutes on a treadmill before shaking and developing a fever.
Doctors suspected a severe infection and treated him with antibiotics, paracetamol, and pain medication.
Further tests on his lungs, heart, and gallbladder were clear.
He was hospitalized for two weeks after one severe episode.
A doctor found minor peripheral blood vessel issues in his lungs, but it was not considered serious.
He received injections and medication to prevent blood clots for six months, during which exercise was prohibited, and his parents sought private medical consultations.
His sudden death was a shock to family and teammates.
Metaloglobus București posted a tribute to Luca on Instagram, expressing deep sadness at his loss.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by this tragic loss,” they wrote. “His love for football and his smile brought happiness on the field. His last appearance was on August 24, 2024. Following that game, he complained of fatigue, leading to medical examinations. Rest in peace dear ‘Mano’. Sincere condolences to the grieving family.”
