The tragic death of former Spanish footballer Pelayo Novo who played as a midfielder shook the world of sports and left his fans and loved ones in deep grief. On February 28th, 2023, Novo tragically passed away and the circumstances surrounding his death have raised many questions, and here we will try to piece together what happened and pay tribute to the young athlete’s life.
In this article, we’ll know more about the circumstances around Pelayo Novo’s untimely demise, along with who he was, how he died, the cause of his death, condolences & sympathies from loved ones, and much more!
Who Was Pelayo Novo?
Pelayo Novo was born on November 1, 1990, in Oviedo, Spain. He was a talented midfielder who started his football career at a young age in the youth academy of Real Oviedo. In 2007, he joined Sporting Gijon’s B team, and a year later, he made his professional debut in La Liga, Spain’s top football league, with the same club.
Novo was a technically gifted player with excellent ball control and vision, and he quickly became a fan favorite. However, injuries and a lack of playing time prevented him from fulfilling his potential, and he bounced around several clubs in Spain’s lower divisions.
In 2018, Novo signed with SD Leioa, a club in the Segunda Division B, the third tier of Spanish football. He quickly became a key player for the team and helped them avoid relegation in his first season. However, later in the same year, His football career was ended by a terrible accident, which also left him paralyzed and in need of a wheelchair.
Still, Novo didn’t quit, and developed a passion for wheelchair tennis and even joined the Asturian Tennis Federation’s board of directors. He was also quite active in contests and most recently participated in the Open de Catalunya.
How Did Pelayo Novo Die? Cause of Death Explained
Pelayo Novo, a former Spanish football star, passed away on Tuesday night, February, 28th, 2023 at the age of 32 after being struck by a train in Oviedo, Spain, leaving family, friends, and loved ones in deep shock.
This Tuesday, just before 2:00, the sad incident occurred in the Asturian city’s vicinity of La Malata Park. He was run over by a train on the Renfe line, which runs from Oviedo to Siero, for unknown causes.
After receiving a call from the Asturias emergency number 112 at 19:55, members of the Urgent Medical Assistance Service (SAMU) and the National Police arrived at the site and discovered Novo to be lifeless.
In 2018, he survived a fall from a hotel’s third story, so he gave up playing football and switched to wheelchair tennis. After that accident, he was treated for 51 days in a hospital in Zaragoza before being transferred to the Toledo National Paraplegic Hospital.
However, there are so many rumors that he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs while traveling on a train, and the truth may never be fully known. In the end, Novo’s death was a terrible loss for his family, friends, and the football community.
The news of his unfortunate and tragic demise was first announced by his former team, Cordoba CF with a heartfelt statement,
“Pelayo Novo, a former player with us, passed away at the age of 32. The Cordobesistas will never forget it since one of his centers allowed us to “touch the sky at Las Tendillas.”
Even after being paralyzed, Novo never looked back and turned his attention to his new passion and started playing wheelchair tennis eventually he became an ambassador for professional and aspiring impaired athletes in Spain.
Tributes Emerged of Pelayo Novo
The news of Novo’s death shocked the football community, and many of his former teammates, coaches, and rivals expressed their condolences and shared memories of him on social media.
Real Oviedo, the club where he started his career, released a statement saying, “We are devastated by the loss of Pelayo Novo. He will always be part of the Real Oviedo family, and his memory will stay with us forever.”
Bruunoo tweeted, “A shame about Pelayo Novo, he looked very good people RIP.”
Colgadosporelfutbol, a popular magazine posted on Facebook, saying
“Existence does occasionally leave a legacy. After being struck by a train, Pelayo Novo, 32, passes away. A few years ago, while focused on the Albacete in Huesca, he fell from the third story, forcing him to give up football.”
Pelayo Novo was not only a talented footballer but also a kind and humble person who touched the lives of many people. He was known for his positive attitude, his work ethic, and his love for the game. He was a role model for many young players who looked up to him and admired his dedication and perseverance.
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