Georgi Nemsadze died at the age of just 54; he also played in Italy

The soccer world is mourning the death of Georgi Nemsadze, former captain of the Georgian national team and former midfielder for Reggiana, among other clubs. He was 54 years old and died of a heart attack. The news was reported by Dinamo Tbilisi, the club where he began and ended his playing career, which announced his passing in a message posted on social media.

Nemsadze was one of the leading figures in Georgian soccer, distinguishing himself both while playing for the national team and during his stints abroad. During his career, he played for Hamburg, Trabzonspor, Grasshoppers, and Lokomotiv Tbilisi before joining Dundee in 2000.

His stint in Italy lasted six months, from February to June 1999, when he played for Reggiana (then in Serie B), making 10 appearances. It was a brief stint, part of a career that took him to various leagues and soccer environments. He spent three and a half years in Scotland, becoming a player beloved by fans for his skill and personality. In total, he made 69 appearances for the Georgian national team, 17 of which came during his time at Dundee.

Among the first to pay tribute to the former midfielder was Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, who expressed his grief over a loss that deeply affects the country’s entire soccer community: “I express my deepest condolences on the death of Giorgi Nemsadze. It is an enormous loss for Georgian soccer,” he said.

After retiring as a player, Nemsadze remained closely connected to Georgian soccer. After serving for a year as sporting director of Dinamo Tbilisi, he embarked on a coaching career, working with the country’s youth national teams and leading several clubs, including Shevardeni Tbilisi, Dila Gori, and Dinamo itself.