The football world was taken aback by the shocking news that transpired last evening.
Wolfsburg FC midfielder Junior Malanda is no more. The 20 year old, touted to be next big thing in defensive midfield tragically succumbed to injuries in a car crash that saw the rest of the people in the car with him make it out alive.
The death of a sportsman is always more hard hitting especially when the deceased in the question is someone so young, and full of promise.
Junior Malanda was on his way to becoming one of the world’s top players in his trade, but life just as football is unpredictable.
The official Wolfsburg FC Facebook page poured their hearts out in a long and emotional message to the man that once wore their colours.
Der VfL Wolfsburg trauert um Junior Malanda. Der 20-jährige Belgier kam am Samstagnachmittag bei einem Verkehrsunfall ums Leben. Der geplante Abflug der Mannschaft am Abend ins Trainingslager nach Südafrika wurde vorerst abgesagt. Rund um die Volkswagen Arena kamen etliche Fans zusammen, um gemeinsam um den Mittelfeldspieler zu trauern.
„Wir sind alle zutiefst bestürzt und können unsere Fassungslosigkeit kaum in Worte fassen. Wir alle haben ihn geliebt. Er war der gute Geist unserer Mannschaft und ein lebenslustiger Mensch. Darüber hinaus war Junior ein exzellenter Fußballer, der erst ganz am Anfang seiner Entwicklung stand. Wir können immer noch nicht glauben, dass er nicht mehr bei uns ist. Unsere Gedanken sind in diesen schweren Stunden bei seiner Familie und seinen Angehörigen“, sagte VfL-Geschäftsführer Klaus Allofs.
Christian Benteke, the Belgian international and Aston Villa striker vented out his grief on his official facebook page.
[English] RIP Junior. Hope that God opens the doors of paradise ! Sincere condolences to the family in this very difficult trial.
The official Facebook page of the Belgian national football team put up this picture in tribute to the 20 year old.
To think, he would have been one of the influential players in the 2018 FIFA world cup campaign for the “Red Devils”.
Axel Witsel, the Belgian International and Zenit midfield destroyer joined in with his message. He also shared the picture posted by the Belgian Red Devil page.
Axel Witsel
May God rest your soul…#RIPMalanda
Kevin De Bruyne, the former Chelsea star and Belgian International posted this an hour ago from his official Facebook page.
Kevin De Bruyne
Last picture together… We will miss you mon petit
He posted this yesterday.
Kevin De Bruyne
So strange to hear your friend in the morning and then hear this news. Lost a great friend way too early. Rest in peace my friend. You will always be around!!
Belgian and Everton striker Romelu Lukaku simply changed his profile picture to this :
Romelu Lukaku changed his profile picture.
Junior Malanda’s death is shocking to say the least.
