Legendary Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon posted on social media following the shock news of Davide Astori's death.The 31-year-old Fiorentina captain was discovered in his hotel room in Udine by club staff, on the morning his team were due to face Udinese in Serie A."The belief is that the player died of a cardiac arrest by natural causes," Udine prosecutor Antonio De Nicolo said."It is strange that such a thing should happen to a professional who is so closely monitored without there being any warning signs."Every Serie A game on Sunday was cancelled in the wake of his death.Astori - who leaves behind his partner and his two-year-old daughter - was expected to sign a new long-term contract on Monday.

Buffon's heart-wrenching Instagram post

The 40-year-old stopper played alongside Astori in the Italian national team and faced him on numerous occasions in Serie A.

Buffon posted an amazing message on social media.

"Dear Asto,

I’ve hardly ever publicly expressed a thought about a person, because I have always felt that the beauty and the uniqueness of relationships, mutual esteem and affection, should not be exploited or thrown at those who do not have the delicacy to respect certain ties.

"In your case, I feel I have to make an exception to my rule, because you have a young wife and family members who are suffering, but especially your little girl, who deserves to know that her father was in all respects a PERFECT PERSON ... A GREAT AND PERFECT PERSON ... you were the best expression of an ancient, surpassed world, in which values such as altruism, elegance, education and respect for others, were the masters.

"Congratulations indeed, you were one of the best sports figures I came across.

"R.I.P.

"Your crazy Gigi."

What an incredibly beautiful tribute.

Astori came through the AC Milan youth academy and they also paid tribute on social media.