Thousands of fans filled the streets of Bergamo, Italy on Thursday for the funeral of Piermario Morosini, a 25-year-old soccer player who collapsed and died during a match last weekend. 

About 600 people packed into the Church of San Gregorio Barbarigo for the service, while thousands watched on big screens outside. 

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Morosini's coffin was draped in his Livorno shirt as well as an Atalanta top bearing his name and the No. 8. Adorned with wreaths and flowers, it was also covered by several football scarves. Next to the coffin had been placed boots and footballs. 

"Mario is really in our hearts. I'm not scared and I am here not only for Mario but with Mario," father Luciano Manenti said at the start of the service. 

Morosini, a 25-year-old midfielder who was on loan from Udinese, started out in Atalanta's youth team. The entire Atalanta squad was present at the funeral, as well as Udinese players and numerous former teammates, including an emotional Sulley Muntari. 

Various representatives of other teams and Italian soccer  also attended the service, including Italian soccer federation president Giancarlo Abete and national team coach Cesare Prandelli. 

"Faced with this tragedy, football has to ask itself questions," Prandelli said. "Sports medicine and prevention in Italy are cutting-edge but it can improve. 

"Piermario has done the miracle of uniting all the banners which normally in every football game are one against the other. He taught us that you can face life's difficulties with a smile on your face always." 

Morosini's long-term girlfriend Anna Vavassori and her family also attended the funeral, which was broadcast live on various Italian TV stations. 

"We have lost a son and a brother," Vavassori's mother, Mariella, said. "The pain is great but we know that you don't want us to be sad but to smile, with that smile that always lit up your face. 

"Goodbye Mario, we thank you for your presence in our life. You taught us so much, you made our hearts more true and loyal, free like you were. I thank you for giving so much love to our Anna." 

Another of the chief mourners was Morosini's elderly aunt and his elder sister Maria Carla, two of his few remaining family members. Morosini's mother died when he was 15 and his father died two years later. His brother died shortly afterward, too. 

Udinese has set up a fund for Maria Carla, who is disabled and relied on her brother for financial support. 

Morosini's coffin was carried out at the end of the service to lengthy applause and chants of his name, while several fans also lit flares.

 

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Players at an Italian soccer team have pledged to look after the severely-disabled sister of their former team-mate Piermario Morosini, who died on Saturday after collapsing on the pitch during a game.

Antonio Di Natale, player for Serie A side Udinese, said Monday he and colleagues would provide financial and emotional support to the Maria Carla, for whom Morosini was the main carer.

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Morosini, who was on loan to Serie B side Livorno, collapsed during a game against Pescara on Saturday and died on his way to the hospital at the age of 25.

He was orphaned in his teens. His mother died when he was 15 and his father died two years later. His brother, also disabled, committed suicide shortly after that.

Di Natale promised the other players, and the club’s affiliated charity Udinese For Life, will now look after her.

"We know the situation of his sister and we as a team, the club, and Udinese for Life have decided to help her because she is in real need," Di Natale told the club’s website.

"It is essential to stay by the side of Piermario’s sister for her entire life. She needs us and we want to help,” he said.

"When I saw the scene on the television it was immediately clear that it was something serious. It was a very bad moment. He was an exceptional lad, so full of life. Despite all the problems he had, he was always at the disposal of the team and every day he gave us all strength."

The site also gave details of a fund created to pay for her care, noting that this was only the latest tragedy to hit the family.

The BBC reported that Serie A, Italy's top football league, cancelled all its matches on the weekend after his death.

Meanwhile England soccer player Fabrice Muamba was discharged Monday from the hospital where he had been treated since collapsing from a cardiac arrest during a game less than a month ago.

The former England under-21 international had been in the London Chest Hospital since collapsing on March 17. His heart stopped beating on its own for 78 minutes while doctors worked to resuscitate him and his prospects of survival were uncertain.

It is still unclear whether Muamba will be able to play professionally again.

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