Topics: Serie A, Fiorentina, Davide Astori, Riccardo Saponara
Tributes to the late player keep flying in from around the world, but this is by far one of the most inspired.

Gianluigi Buffon may have been the first to do so, and even if his tribute to the late Davide Astori was really something, Riccardo Saponara added a bit more for those who were interested in getting to know the Italian center back.

Saponara took it to Instagram to share details about his relationship with Astori, who died in his hotel room prior to the game against Udinese.

Here's the original post, along with the proper translation.

 

O capitano, mio capitano. Perché non sei sceso a fare colazione insieme a tutti noi? Perché non sei passato a riprendere le tue scarpe fuori dalla camera di Marco e non sei venuto a bere la tua solita spremuta d'arancia? Ora ci diranno che la vita scorre, che lo sguardo va puntato in avanti e dovremo rialzarci, ma che sapore avrà la tua assenza? Chi arriverà ogni mattina in mensa a riscaldare l'ambiente con il proprio sorriso? Chi ci chiederà incuriosito ciò che abbiamo fatto la sera precedente per riderci su? Chi sgriderà i più giovani e chi responsabilizzerà i più esperti? Chi formerà il cerchio per giocare a "due tocchi" o chi farà ammattire Marco alla play? Con chi dibatteremo sulle puntate di Masterchef, i ristoranti fiorentini, le serie TV o le partite disputate? Su chi appoggerò la mia spalla a pranzo dopo un allenamento estenuante? Torna dai, devi ancora finire di vedere LaLaLand per poterlo analizzare come ogni film appena uscito. Torna a Firenze, ti attendono in sede per rinnovare il contratto e riconoscerti il bene e la positività che doni quotidianamente a tutti noi. Esci da quella maledetta stanza, ti aspettiamo domani alla ripresa degli allenamenti. Nella vita ci sono persone che conosci da sempre con le quali non legherai mai, poi ci sono i Davide che ti entrano immediatamente dentro con un semplice "Benvenuto a Firenze Ricky". Ovunque tu sia ora, continua a difendere la nostra porta e dalle retrovie illuminaci il giusto cammino. O capitano, mio capitano. Per sempre mio capitano.

Una publicación compartida de Riccardo Saponara (@rickinara) el

"Oh captain, my captain, why didn't you come down to have breakfast with us? Why didn't you get your shoes out of Marco's bedroom and came down to drink your orange juice as you always did? Now we're being told that life goes on and we have to keep moving forward and get up every morning. But, what flavor does life have without you in it? Who's gping to come down to the cafeteria to make our day better with his smile? Who's going to ask us what we did last night just for laughs? Who'll be there to support the youngsters, but also to add pressure to the veterans? Who will prepare the morning drills where we have to get rid of the ball with two touches of the ball? Who will drive Marco crazy with the Playstation? Who's going to start the debates about Masterchef, restaurants in Florence, TV series or games we played? Who will offer me his shoulder during lunchtime after a breath-taking training session? Please come back, you still have to finish watching "La la Land" to analyze it like you did with every new movie. Come back to Florence, they're waiting for you to sign your contract extension and to acknowledge just how good and positive you are for all of us. Get out of that damned room. We're waiting for you to start training. In life, there's people with whom you never connect with, and then there's Davide, who immediately offers you his hand with a simple 'Welcome to Florence, Ricky'. Wherever you are now, please keep defending our goal and guiding our path with your light. Oh captain, my captain. Forever my captain"

Fiorentina and Cagliari will retire Astori's number

Davide Astori's demise has left Italian football in a state of shock, but even if that's the case, his team has started taking the proper steps to remember the player's legacy.

Hours after reports claimed that Fiorentina would respect an agreement to extend the player's contract, the club stepped up to make a first announcement regarding Astori's death. Along with his former team, Cagliari, both clubs have announced that the No.13 jersey will never be used by any player from here on.