Clubs mourn Thierry Steimetz

The Frenchman, born in Creutzwald, appeared in five UEFA Champions League qualifying round games for Luxembourgish club F91 Diddeleng in the 2012/13 season, scoring a memorable double against FC Salzburg to help his team progress. He also appeared in UEFA Cup and UEFA Europa League qualifiers between 2008 and 2012, in total making 56 appearances for the club.

The attacking midfielder, locally nicknamed "Le Petit Ribéry" (The Little Ribéry) or "Titi", only began his professional career at the age of 28 with FC Metz. He played ten games for the club after fruitful amateur spells at the RC Lens academy, US Roye, US Forbach, CSO Amnéville, and CD Grevenmacher in Luxembourg. He joined Diddeleng from Metz in 2012 and clinched a national league title two years later.

Steimetz then moved to nearby German side FC 08 Homburg, but was forced to end his career in 2017 when he underwent a leg amputation due to a malignant tumour. He later went into coaching, leading French amateur side SSEP Hombourg-Haut.

"His smile, passion and energy will remain etched in our memories," Hombourg-Haut said in a statement. "He will continue to live on through every match, every training session and every child who proudly wears the club's colours."

FC Metz held a minute's silence before Sunday's French Cup game against Montpellier. The Ligue 1 club paid tribute in a statement: "A prominent figure in amateur football in the Moselle region, and a Metz player during the 2011/12 season, Thierry Steimetz has passed away at the age of 42. The entire FC Metz team wishes to extend its sincere condolences to his family and loved ones."

Diddeleng added: "Beyond the player, we are also losing a great person who was loved by all. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time."