Cedric Roussel, a former Premier League striker who played for Coventry City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, died on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at the age of 45. He suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Mons, Belgium, according to his former club Mons. Roussel was a popular figure in Belgian football, having represented several clubs and the national team. He also had a brief but memorable stint in England, where he formed a prolific partnership with Robbie Keane at Coventry. In this article, we will look at the life and career of Cedric Roussel, and the cause of his death.
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Early Career in Belgium
Roussel was born on January 6, 1978, in Mons, Belgium. He started his professional football career in 1994 with La Louvière, where he scored 49 goals in 107 appearances. He then moved to Gent in 1998, where he scored eight goals in 32 games. He also represented Belgium at various youth levels, and was part of the squad that participated in the FIFA World Youth Championship in 1997.
Coventry City and Wolves
Roussel caught the attention of Premier League club Coventry City, who signed him on a season-long loan deal in October 1999. He made his debut on October 16, 1999, against Newcastle United, and scored his first goal on November 22, 1999, against Aston Villa. He impressed with his pace, power and finishing ability, and formed a deadly partnership with Robbie Keane. He scored six goals in his first season, including two against Manchester United in February 2000. Coventry made his move permanent in January 2000 for a fee of £1.2 million, despite interest from Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur.
However, Roussel’s second season was marred by injuries and poor form. He scored only two goals in 18 games, and was unhappy with the club’s management. He accused the chairman Bryan Richardson of trying to sell him to Wimbledon without his consent, and refused to join the club. He eventually left Coventry in February 2001, and joined fellow Midlands club Wolverhampton Wanderers for £1.5 million.
Roussel’s spell at Wolves was also disappointing. He scored only two goals in 25 games, and was loaned out to Mons in August 2002. He rediscovered his scoring touch at Mons, where he netted 22 goals in 33 games. He returned to Wolves in June 2003, but was released by mutual consent shortly after.
Later Career and Retirement
Roussel continued his career in various countries, including Belgium, Russia, Italy and Cyprus. He played for Genk, Rubin Kazan, Standard Liège, Zulte Waregem, Brescia and AEK Larnaca. He also made his senior debut for Belgium in February 2003 against France, and earned two more caps later that year. He retired from professional football in 2015, after playing for lower-league clubs such as HSV Hoek, RUS Beloeil and R.R.C Waterloo.
After retiring, Roussel started a career in real estate. He also became an ambassador for Mons, the club where he enjoyed the most success.
Cause of Death
On Saturday, June 24, 2023, Roussel died of a myocardial infarction (heart attack) at his home in Mons. He was 45 years old. His death shocked the football world, especially in Belgium and England. His former clubs and teammates paid tribute to him on social media and expressed their condolences to his family and friends.
A myocardial infarction is a medical term for a heart attack. It occurs when the blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is blocked by a blood clot or plaque buildup in the coronary arteries. This deprives the heart muscle of oxygen and nutrients, causing it to die or become damaged. The symptoms of a myocardial infarction may include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea or vomiting. A myocardial infarction can be fatal if not treated promptly.
The risk factors for developing a myocardial infarction include age (over 45 for men), family history of heart disease or stroke, smoking, high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), diabetes mellitus (type I or II), obesity (body mass index over 30), physical inactivity (sedentary lifestyle), stress, and alcohol or drug abuse. Some of these risk factors can be modified by lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, managing stress, and limiting alcohol or drug use. Other risk factors may require medical intervention, such as medication, surgery, or angioplasty.
Roussel’s cause of death was not publicly disclosed by his family or his former club Mons. However, it is possible that he had some of the risk factors mentioned above, or that he had an undiagnosed or untreated heart condition. It is also possible that he had a genetic predisposition to heart disease, as some studies have suggested that certain genes may increase the likelihood of developing a myocardial infarction. Regardless of the exact cause, Roussel’s death was a tragic and unexpected loss for the football community and his loved ones.
Conclusion
Cedric Roussel was a talented and charismatic footballer who played for several clubs in Belgium and England. He was best known for his partnership with Robbie Keane at Coventry City, where he scored some memorable goals. He also represented Belgium at the senior level, and was an ambassador for Mons. He died of a myocardial infarction at the age of 45, leaving behind a legacy of goals and smiles. He will be remembered as one of the finest strikers to grace the Premier League and Belgian football.
