Yahoo Sport'Tragic news': A-League in shock over death of club captain's wife
The football community is rallying around Ulises Davila after the sudden and tragic death of the Macarthur FC captain's wife Lily.
The couple have one child together - two-year-old son Uli Jnr.
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The A-League Men's (ALM) club issued a brief statement on Monday confirming Lily's death and expressing their heartbreak and sincerest condolences to the player.
“We are saddened to hear Ulises Davila’s wife Lily has tragically passed away overnight,” Macarthur said.
"The club would like to express its heartfelt condolences to Uli, Uli Jnr and the extended family during this difficult time."
That is the most tragic news. The entire football community mourns for Ulises and their family. There are no words for this unimaginable grief.
— Sebastian Hassett (@sebth) May 30, 2022
Several other ALM clubs have since shared their shock and grief at the news via social media, including recently crowned champions Western United.
Davila has become a hugely popular figure since arriving in the ALM in 2019 with the Wellington Phoenix.
In that same year, Davila and his wife Lily celebrated the birth of their son, with the A-League star's wife having to be separated because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It meant the first time the star forward met his baby boy was on FaceTime.
“When you’re training and they tell you that your son was born,” he wrote after the birth of Uli Jnr.
“We will have a lot of fun together in this little life. I love you, soon we will meet.”
The Mexican spent two seasons with the New Zealand-based club, sharing the 2021 Johnny Warren Medal with Sydney FC's Milos Ninkovic as the best players in the Australian competition.
It came after Davila recorded 12 goals and five assists with the Phoenix in the 2020-21 campaign.
Davila joined Macarthur on a three-year deal ahead of the 2021-22 season before being appointed captain soon afterwards.
He scored seven goals in a season disrupted by injury and Covid-19 as the Bulls missed out on the finals.
Football community rallies behind Ulises Davila
Davila was named Macarthur's player of the year earlier this month.
Messages of support have been flooding in for the popular star in the wake of his tragic loss.
Former Socceroos defender Robert Cornthwaite tweeted: “Devastating. Condolences to Ulises and his family.”
The Wellington Phoenix are saddened to hear the news that Ulises Dávila’s wife Lily has passed away.
Uli & his whānau will always be a part of ours.
We would like to send our deepest condolences to Uli & his family during this tough time.
Kia kaha. pic.twitter.com/rkaYAOLmg5— Wellington Phoenix (@WgtnPhoenixFC) May 30, 2022
Our Wanderers Family extends our condolences to Macarthur FC's midfielder Ulises Davila and his family, following the devastating news of his wife's passing overnight #WSW pic.twitter.com/Q1xbu2tPvL
— WS Wanderers FC (@wswanderersfc) May 30, 2022
On behalf of everyone associated with Perth Glory, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to @mfcbulls midfielder Ulises Davila and his family following the devastating news of his wife's passing overnight.@aleaguemen #OneGlory pic.twitter.com/nA6tQ4B2ex
— Perth Glory FC (@PerthGloryFC) May 30, 2022
We are so sorry to hear this devastating news.
Everyone at Western United passes on their deepest condolences to Ulises and his family.— Western United | A-League Men Champions 🏆 (@wufcofficial) May 30, 2022
with AAP
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