Romanian footballer Andrei Matei dies age 34 after disease ALS 'wasted away' his muscles

Andrei Matei, 34, died from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a rare disease that leads to the deterioration of a person’s muscles. The footballer had previously played for FC Rapid 1923 in his home country.

The club has since paid tribute to Matei on social media, having risen through the ranks of the Giulesti club’s academy.

Posting on Facebook, a club statement said: “With great sadness, we announce that Andrei Matei, the former Rapid player, lost his battle with a relentless disease and joined the gallery from heaven, at only 34 years old.

“Condolences to [his] family and friends.”

According to the NHS, ALS effectively wastes away a person’s muscles, with them becoming thinner and thinner until they are almost impossible to move. Limbs can also become stiff, known as spasticity, with both causing joint aches and pains.

The NHS inform website adds that in the final stages of ALS/MND, people “become increasingly drowsy before falling into a deep sleep, where they usually die peacefully”.