01-03-2025
Nico Hidalgo, former Juventus and Cadiz midfielder, dies ages 32
Nico Hidalgo, a midfielder whose former clubs included Juventus and Cadiz, has died aged 32 after suffering lung cancer with bone metastasis.
Hidalgo had been diagnosed with the illness in 2021 and contracted bone metastasis — when cancer spreads from another part of the body to the bones.
An attacking right-sided midfielder, Hidalgo began his career at local club Motril in the province of Granada before joining Granada's B team in 2012.
He went on to join Juventus in 2014, but he did not make a senior appearance for the Italian club as he was loaned back to Granada and later Cadiz, whom he joined on a permanent basis in 2017.
💔 Nos ha dejado Nico Hidalgo. Nunca olvidaremos tu sonrisa y tu alegría.
Tu lucha es nuestro ejemplo.
Descansa en paz 😭
— Cádiz Club de Fútbol (@Cadiz_CF) March 1, 2025
Hidalgo made 35 appearances in the Spanish second division for Cadiz before joining Racing Santander and then Extremadura, who are now defunct.
The midfielder's former clubs paid tribute to him on their social media platforms on Saturday after his death.
⚫️ El Real Racing Club, consternado por el fallecimiento de su exfutbolista Nico Hidalgo
— Real Racing Club (@realracingclub) March 1, 2025
'We will never forget your smile and your joy,' Cadiz said. 'Your fight is our inspiration. Rest in peace.'
Hidalgo retired from playing in 2022 after being diagnosed with his illness.
(Fermin Rodriguez/Quality)
