Overview
- The family announced Protti’s death on Friday, June 19, 2026, via his public social account and shared the farewell he prepared: “This splendid journey, like every match, has reached the final whistle.”
- Protti had publicly disclosed his diagnosis on July 5, 2025, then underwent surgery (stomia), chemotherapy and later reported the disease had reached his vertebrae; his last public appearance was at his daughter Noemi’s wedding in late May 2026.
- Livorno declared a day of municipal mourning and held a stadium commemoration at Stadio Armando Picchi while a public viewing was opened at the Frongillo committal room in Cecina and further ceremonies are planned in Rimini and Bari.
- On the field Protti was celebrated as a provincial icon who won the Serie A capocannoniere title with Bari in 1995–96 and is one of only two players to top scoring charts in Serie A, B and C1, a legacy marked by retired shirts, civic honours and a February 2026 docufilm.
- News coverage is unanimous on the core facts but records a minor discrepancy in his reported age (most outlets say 58, at least one 57) while widespread tributes from clubs, former teammates and civic leaders underline the depth of public grief.