Edoardo Bove, a 22-year-old footballer for AC Florence, collapsed during a Serie A match against Inter Milan, with reports indicating his heart temporarily stopped. Thankfully, he is now stable, alert, and able to communicate after undergoing initial assessments that showed no severe damage. The football community has rallied in support, with messages from players and officials. The match was suspended, evoking memories of previous tragedies in football, including the loss of AC Florence’s captain Davide Astori.
Edoardo Bove’s Collapse: A Shocking Incident in Florence
On Sunday evening, the atmosphere in Florence turned tense as fans witnessed a shocking event: Edoardo Bove, a professional footballer, collapsed unexpectedly during a match without any opposing team’s interference. Reports have emerged indicating that the young athlete’s heart had momentarily stopped. The following day, his club provided a reassuring update regarding his health status from the hospital.
Health Update on Edoardo Bove
Edoardo Bove’s condition is now considered stable following his collapse during a Serie A match. The 22-year-old player for AC Florence is currently alert, conscious, and breathing on his own. A ventilation tube was successfully removed earlier today, as announced by the club on X. “He is awake, responsive, and oriented,” they reported. Bove remains in the intensive care unit at Careggi University Hospital in Florence for continued monitoring and evaluation.
According to club officials, Bove was able to communicate with family members, teammates, and staff while in the hospital. They mentioned, “Further tests will be conducted in the coming days to determine the cause of the incident that occurred yesterday.” Bove collapsed during a home game against Inter Milan after approximately 15 minutes of play, with no external factors contributing to the event. Media sources indicate that his heart briefly ceased functioning, necessitating the use of a defibrillator. He was transported to the hospital by ambulance following initial on-field care.
Fortunately, initial cardiological and neurological assessments returned positive results, revealing no acute damage to his heart, lungs, or nervous system. The football community has rallied around Bove, with many expressing their support and well wishes for a swift recovery. DFB national player Robin Gosens, who plays alongside Bove at Fiorentina, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram: “Forza brother” accompanied by a heart emoji. FIFA President Gianni Infantino also took to social media to show his support, stating, “Forza Edo. The great family of world football is with you.”
Numerous clubs, players, and former professionals across the globe have sent messages of encouragement. Coach Raffaele Palladino paid a morning visit to Bove, and several teammates followed suit. Gabriele Gravina, the president of the federation, also expressed his intent to visit the young player in the hospital.
The incident at Stadio Franchi left many spectators in shock. As first responders rushed to Bove’s aid, several players from both teams were visibly emotional. Subsequently, the match was suspended at the request of both teams and will be resumed at a later date. This event triggered painful memories for long-time fans, as AC Florence previously lost their captain, Davide Astori, to a heart attack in 2018, just before an away game. Bove’s situation also echoed the distressing collapse of Christian Eriksen during the 2021 European Championship.
Prior to joining AC Florence on loan this summer, Bove honed his skills in his hometown of Rome, where he played youth football at AS Roma. He notably scored the decisive goal in the 2023 Europa League semi-final against Bayer Leverkusen, paving the way for his team to reach the final after a goalless second leg.