Barça's Tito Vilanova loses battle with cancer
Saturday, April 26, 2014 @ 2:48 PM
FORMER Barça FC trainer Tito Vilanova has finally lost his long battle with cancer. The club released an official statement this afternoon expressing the club's and fans' sadness at the death of the former manager:
"FC Barcelona is in immense mourning. Tito Vilanova has died at the age of 45. May he rest in peace," the statement from the Spanish club read.
"The club wishes to express its most heartfelt sympathy to his family, who are being joined in these moments of mourning by FC Barcelona members and fans all around the world, as well as the rest of the footballing and sporting world.
Vilanova had a tumour removed from his throat in November 2011 before suffering a relapse in December 2012. He underwent further surgery at the end of 2012 and then spent 10 weeks in New York having chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but he returned in March 2013 to see his side take the Spanish title in his sole season in charge.
Tributes have been paid from many football coaches, players and clubs, with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho saying Vilanova's death was "a sad day for football".
Lionel Messi, the star of Vilanova's Barcelona team, said on his Facebook page: "A person difficult to forget. I will always remember you. All my love to the family of Tito."
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