10 football stars which ALS has taken from us

Stephen Coelho 9 years ago 2k |

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3 legendary footballers who died with ALS. BeSoccer

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, more commonly known as ALS, is one of the illnesses which has most affected the world of football. We leave you a list of some former players who died as a result of this degenerative disease.

Washington Cesar Santos

The former striker was 54 when he died on the 25th of May 2014. In a few months, ALS finished with the player, who had passed through numerous clubs in Brazil.

Stefano Borgonovo

The Italian was loved in his country. He played for clubs like Milan, Fiorentina and Udinese. In 2008 they diagnosed him with the illness, and he battled with it until 27th of June 2013. He died aged 49.

Keith Skillen

The fromer English striker played for clubs such as Cockermouth, Hartlepool United and Workington. Finally, he died of ALS on he 7th of August 2013, aged 65.

Barrington Gaynor

The Jamaican died aged 45 on the 19th of March 2011. He was diagnosed with the illness in 2008, and despite this, Gaynor was still very linked to football. He was a great loss for Jamaica, who loved the former footballer.

Mauricio Pena Almada

The former Mexican footballer played for Pumas and then for Necaxa. He retired in 1991 and died on 31st of August 2010 with ALS. The footballing world were rooting for him, but he finally lost the battle.

John Cushley

At Celtic they will always remember John Cushley. He died aged 65 following a couple of years battling with ALS. He arrived at the Scottish club aged 17 and he won over the fans, who mourned his death.

Adriano Lombardi

He died on the 30th of November 2007. The former Empoli player was 62 when he died due to the illness. Italy has been one of the countries with the most ALS related deaths.

Jimmy Johnstone

Another Celtic figure who died from the same cause was Johnstone. He was part of the legendary side which won the European Cup in 1967. The illness claimed his life in 2006, when he was 61-years-old.

Krzysztof Nowak

One of the deaths whish most moved the footballing world was that of Nowak. The former Wolfsburg player was 29-years-old. The only thing the illness didn't take was his passion for football, and he was always present at the stadiums to enjoy the games.

Gianluca Signorini

Another figure which Italy keep in their memory is Signorini. He played for Genoa, and also passed through clubs like Roma and Parma. He also tried his luck as a manager. Finally, he died in 2002 aged 42, as a result of ALS.