FORMER Swedish international Stefan Lindqvist has sadly lost his lengthy battle with ALS at the age of 52.
The ex-midfielder – who spent the majority of his career at Goteborg – was first diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2012.
Former Goteborg skipper Stefan Lindqvist has died at the age of 52 following a lengthy battle with ALS
Tributes have poured in for Lindqvist, who also featured for Scottish side Motherwell during the 1997/98 season.
Lindqvist – who earned five caps for the Swedish national team between 1989-1990 – won five league titles with Goteborg as well as the Swedish cup during his six-year stay.
He also helped them to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League in the 1994/95 campaign, where they beat Manchester United in the group stage, before being knocked out by Bayern Munich on away goals.
And it was the club that announced the tragic news of their former captain’s passing.
What is motor neurone disease?
MOTOR neurone disease is a rare condition that progressively damages parts of the nervous system. This leads to muscle weakness, often with visible wasting.
MND, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), occurs when specialist nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord called motor neurones stop working properly.
Common early symptoms include:
- a weakened grip, which can cause difficulty picking up or holding objects
- weakness at the shoulder that makes lifting the arm difficult
- a “foot drop” caused by weak ankle muscles
- dragging of the leg
- slurred speech (dysarthria)
The condition isn’t usually painful.
As damage progresses, symptoms spread to other parts of the body and the condition becomes more debilitating.
Eventually, a person with motor neurone disease may be unable to move. Communicating, swallowing and breathing may also become very difficult.
It is a rare condition that affects around two in every 100,000 people in the UK each year.
There’s currently no cure for motor neurone disease.
Releasing a statement, the Angels said: “On Sunday, Stefan Lindqvist fell asleep after living with paralysis disease ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
“IFK Gothenburg remembers its former team captain, midfielder with the fine passing foot, the fighter’s willingness and the great understanding of the game. To mention some of his skill on the football field.
Lindqvist (left), spent the first half of the 1997/98 season at Scottish side MotherwellCredit: Ian Stewart
“We mainly remember the person “Linkan”, who, with his warmth, generosity and thoughtfulness, rather thought of others than chose a place for himself in the spotlight.
“As a player as well as a team leader in the club after the end of the career.
“In mourning, we especially think of Stefan’s wife Ulrika and her daughters Victoria and Annie. Thanks for the memories, Stefan. Rest in peace.”
Fans were quick to pay tribute for Lindqvist, who also wore the jerseys of Halmstad, Swiss side Neuchatel Xamax, Chinese club Dalian Wanda and Norwegian outfit Stormgodset.
One supporter tweeted: “Rest in peace, Stefan Lindqvist! Thanks for all the memories!”
Another commented: “RIP Stefan Lindqvist, you are an Angel forever.”
A third added: “It is with great sadness that I read about Stefan Lindqvist. Saw many of his matches in Halmstad and IFK Gothenburg.
“A nice and really good footballer and person. Rest in peace Stefan.”
Lindqvist revealed last year the difficulty of living with ALS when speaking on Olof Lundh’s podcast, he said: “You hear people talk, and more and more people talk openly about illnesses and mental illness, it’s not taboo anymore.
“Obviously, it’s a pain. During the sporting career, many opponents were faced that were impossible to defeat, but this is something that they know is impossible.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
