Geovani Silva, the "Little Prince" who also passed from the A Series, has died

A cardiac arrest cut short, at the age of 62, the life of Geovani Silva, a former footballer who was active in the 1980s and 1990s and also spent the 1989-1990 season in Serie A, more specifically at Bologna. The “Little Prince,” as he was nicknamed in his homeland, passed away on Monday but the news was not released until twenty-four hours later to Brazilian media by his family.

“Geovani felt ill suddenly,” the family wrote in a note, “he was rescued immediately and taken to the nearest hospital, but despite all the efforts of the medical team and attempts at resuscitation, unfortunately he was unable to overcome the illness. We are all very shaken and saddened by this very unexpected loss The family thanks everyone for their affection, messages and prayers at this very difficult time.”

Born in Vitoria, in the state of Espirito Santo, on April 6, 1964, Geovani Silva had grown up in Desportiva Ferroviaria of nearby Cariacica, a club with which he made his debut in the senior leagues. In 1983 he moved on to Vasco da Gama, with which he stood out for his technical qualities, attracting the attention of foreign clubs: a brief stint in Mexico, at Tigres, launched him toward Serie A, where it was Gigi Maifredi’s Bologna who welcomed him.

The season in Italy’s top series, despite Bologna’s qualification for the UEFA Cup, did not bring great personal satisfaction to Geovani, who after three goals in 28 appearances packed his bags and flew to Germany, to Karlsruhe, before returning permanently overseas and beginning a long series of experiences that, after two more spells at “his” Vasco, brought him back to the state of Espirito Santo where he played in several clubs remaining officially active until 2002.

Bologna expressed their condolences in an official note: “A directing midfielder with marked vision of the game and a sense of goal, he established himself at Vasco da Gama and was signed by Bologna in the summer of 1989 after making his mark with the Brazilian selection at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. In Rossoblù he played only one season, playing 28 games and scoring 3 goals between the league and Coppa Italia. To the family go the deepest condolences from all of Bologna FC 1909.”