Luca Manolache was a highly promising Romanian footballer, born in May 2005, who came up through the ranks at FCSB and later played for Metaloglobus București in the second division. In August 2024, during what would become his final appearance, Luca began showing severe health symptoms—extreme fatigue, dizziness, bloody stools, heavy sweating and chills—which forced him to stop playing and undergo repeated, inconclusive medical tests.

By late February 2025, Luca’s condition abruptly worsened. On February 28, while out with friends, he collapsed and then, in his final moments, phoned his mother and asked, “Mum, I can’t do this anymore. Do you think I’m dying?” He was rushed to hospital but could not be saved. An autopsy later revealed the cause of death: a massive internal haemorrhage due to a ruptured aorta, exacerbated by a lung infection, which led to him essentially drowning in his own stomach acid.

The announcement of Luca’s death sent shockwaves through Romanian football. Metaloglobus and FCSB released statements expressing deep grief for the loss of a young talent gone far too soon. Colleagues, former coaches and fans all lamented how a career full of potential ended in such tragic and mysterious fashion. The case has also sparked urgent conversations about athlete health—especially for young players reporting vague but serious symptoms that go undiagnosed.

Luca’s story stands as a heartbreaking reminder that even elite young athletes are vulnerable when early warning signs go unnoticed or unexplained. His family, clubs and the wider community are left mourning what was lost—not only a future star on the pitch, but a life full of promise.