Nico Hidalgo dead at 32: Former Juventus star dies after battle with lung cancer as tributes pour in

The Spaniard had been battling the disease since 2021

FOOTIE TRAGEDY Nico Hidalgo dead at 32: Former Juventus star dies after battle with lung cancer as tributes pour in

FORMER Spanish footie star Nico Hidalgo has tragically passed away aged 32.

The former Juventus midfielder has sadly lost his lengthy battle with lung cancer.

3 Nico Hidalgo has tragically passed away aged 32 Credit: Getty

3 The former Racing Santandar and Juventus star had been battling lung cancer since 2021 Credit: Getty

Tributes have poured in for the late Hidalgo, including from former club Cadiz.

The Segunda Division side's ode read: "Nico Hidalgo has left us.

"We will never forget your smile and your joy. Your struggle is our example. Rest in peace."

Extremadura, which no longer exists, also paid tribute to their late player.

"This morning we woke up to the sad news of the death of Nico Hidalgo, former Extremadura UD footballer, at the age of 32 due to lung cancer which he had been fighting since 2021," a club statement read.

"From [everyone at] CD Extremadura, we would like to express our deepest condolences to his family and friends.

"We send them all our love and strength in these difficult times."

Racing Santandar also paid tribute to the midfielder, whom they'll honour with a minute's silence ahead of their La Liga clash with Elche on Sunday.

3 The late Nico Hidalgo retired from football in 2022 Credit: GETTY

A snippet of a club statement read: "Real Racing Club regrets the death of its former footballer Nico Hidalgo, who played 73 official matches with the green and white shirt between 2018 and 2020.

"The Cantabrian club joins in the pain of his family and friends for this irreparable loss.

"While sending its most sincere condolences and announcing that it will observe a minute of silence in his memory before the LaLiga Hypermotion match that its first team will play against Elche CF at the Campos de Sport tomorrow Sunday, March 2, at 9:00 p.m."

Hidalgo began his career with his local team Motril CF, whom he made 40 appearances before joining Granada in 2012.

He moved to Italian giants Juve in 2014 but didn't make a single appearance for the Old Lady in his three years in Turuin.

He returned to Spain permanently in the summer of 2017 following loan spells with Granada and Cadiz.

He closed out his career with stints with Racing Santander and Extremadura, retiring after learning of his diagnosis.

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