Gabriele Sabatini Dies at Age 50; AC Milan Also Mourns

The soccer world is in mourning following the passing of Gabriele Sabatini, who died last night at the age of just 50 after a battle with illness. His name is also linked to Milan, where he took his first steps in youth soccer after coming up through Spezia’s youth system.

Sabatini, born in 1976, is survived by his wife, two children, and his parents. A midfielder with outstanding playmaking skills, he built a long career spanning both professional and amateur levels, playing for Castelnuovo Garfagnana, Pisa, Barberino, Viterbese, Tempio Pausania, Cuneo, Alessandria, Valle d’Aosta, Foce Vara, and Sarzanese. His career was cut short by a serious injury, which, however, failed to extinguish his passion for soccer.

After retiring as a player, Sabatini remained deeply connected to the world of soccer, successfully embarking on a coaching career. After coaching the youth teams in Sarzana, he led several first teams in the region, including Magra Azzurri, Colli di Luni, Ligorna, Fezzanese, Tarros, Pontremolese, and Santerenzina.

His stint with Pontremolese was particularly significant; he coached the team in the Eccellenza league during the 2021–2022 season, from November through March. The club fondly remembers this experience today.

Numerous messages of condolence have poured in over the past few hours. Among them was one from Spezia Calcio, which expressed its sympathy to the Sabatini family, remembering Gabriele as a coach who was “highly appreciated and respected in the world of amateur soccer in La Spezia.”