Europe 1 with AFP 9:57 p.m., December 25, 2022
Former Uruguayan international Fabian O'Neill, who played for Juventus Turin, died on Sunday at the age of 49 following cirrhosis, announced his former club, Nacional Montevideo.
Considered one of the best footballers of his generation by Zinédine Zidane, Fabian O'Neill died this Sunday at the age of 49.
"The most talented player I have ever seen," the 1998 world champion said a few years ago of O'Neill, with whom he played at Juventus Turin in the 2000-2001 season.
"Farewell magician!"
tweeted the Nacional, where O'Neill made his first division debut in 1992 aged 18.
In ricordo di Fabian O'Neill
— Juventus FC (@juventusfc) December 25, 2022
Retired in 2003
O'Neill retired from the sport in 2003 at just 30 years old.
He then encountered alcoholism problems and had been hospitalized since Saturday for a hemorrhage in a Montevideo hospital where he died on Sunday.
Besides Juve, Fabian O'Neill had worn the colors of Cagliari and Perugia in Italy.
He participated with Celeste in the 2002 World Cup but had not played in any match due to injury.