Joe Barone passed away today, a day before he was to turn 58 years old.

General director of Fiorentina, Barone was at the museum in Coverciano just two years ago, when the Museo del Calcio donated two Coppa Carnivale to the Viola, won by the Tuscan club in 1966 and 1973. “My most heartfelt thanks go to the museum of football,” he declared at the time and it was from then, from that day full of smiles, that the collaboration between Fiorentina and the Museo del Calcio began, which sees hundreds of young footballers and staff from the Viola's youth academy visit the museum in Coverciano every year, with the aim of teaching the culture and history of this sport.

The festive air of that day just over two years ago - March 15, 2022 - today gives way to pain and profound sadness. A passionate manager leaves us; a man of sport respectful of history as well as current affairs.

To the family of Joe Barone and everyone at Fiorentina, the Museo del Calcio sends its most sincere condolences.