The football world is mourning the death of former Arsenal, Juventus and Austria goalkeeper Alex Manninger, 48, who died tragically the day before near Salzburg. The car the famous footballer was driving was hit by a train, ORF reports. Earlier, a high-speed train killed the author of the historic goal for the Austrian national team.
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The fatal collision occurred at around 8:20 a.m. at an unguarded railway crossing. The car, a modern Volkswagen minivan driven by the former Austrian national team goalkeeper, was seriously damaged. About 25 passengers on the two-car commuter train and the train driver were not injured.
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According to police, rescuers pulled the former football player out of the car and administered first aid. A defibrillator was also used. Unfortunately, to no avail.
Salzburg native Alex (Alexander) Manninger was a graduate of the Austria (Salzburg) football academy. After playing for the Forwards and GAK, the future goalkeeper of the Austrian national team (33 matches) joined Arsenal in London in 1997, with whom he won the championship and the FA Cup. As a reserve goalkeeper for the Gunners, the Austrian played only 13 matches in the Premier League in his first two seasons, but kept his goal intact 10 times (including a club record of six matches in a row) and saved a penalty from the winner of the Golden Ball, Michael Owen.
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Manninger later traveled the world extensively, defending the last line of Fiorentina, Siena, Espanyol, Bologna, Salzburg, Udinese, Juventus, Augsburg and Liverpool. It was with Jurgen Klopp's team that Alex ended his career in 2017.
With Arsene Wenger
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“Dear Alex, words are superfluous right now. I am in tears because I have lost a friend and a person I have always admired,” commented on Manninger's death on social media legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon , whom the Austrian replaced in the Turin club. “You decided to remain independent from dependence on the world of football, finding happiness in simple things: a healthy life in the forest, fishing, nature, family. This was your credo.”
In a world where people often bend and bend their knees, chasing oppression, careerism and easy money, you always stood up for your freedom, maintaining a straight posture with the pride of a man who knows what he wants. You had the strength to step away from it all and look at us with that sly smile of yours, as if to say: “You are all crazy, you will never get me”. I hope and I am sure that from there you will continue to guide your beautiful children and your young wife. Rest in peace. Gigi”.
Previously, “FACTS” reported that the former Monaco and Croatian national team player, who defeated cancer, died in a car accident.
Photo ORF, Arsenal FC, from social media