The coffin of Livorno's soccer player Piermario Morosini's leaves a church following his funeral in Bergamo April 19, 2012. (Photo: Reuters)
Thousands of fans have filled the streets of Bergamo to pay their final respects to Piermario Morosini, the Livorno midfielder who collapsed and died after suffering cardiac arrest during a soccer match last weekend.
Father Luciano Manenti started the service by saying ''Mario is really in our hearts. I'm not scared and I am here not only for Mario but with Mario.''
The 25-year-old Morosini, who was on loan from Udinese, started out in Atalanta's youth team. The entire Atalanta squad was present at the funeral, as well as Udinese players and numerous former teammates, including an emotional Sulley Muntari.
Representatives of other teams and from Italian soccer also attended the service at the Church of San Gregorio Barbarigo.
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