Former Japanese international footballer Masato Kudo has tragically passed away, aged 32.
Kudo, who netted two goals in four appearances for his country, made a name for himself domestically in his native Japan, Australia and the United States.
Kudo was still actively competing in professional football in the third Japanese tier, but had been forced to hit the pause button on his career over health concerns.
As is reported by The Sun, Kudo had been diagnosed with a serious condition called hydrocephalus, which is essentially a build-up of fluid in the brain.
As is mentioned in the report, Kudo was forced to go under the knife in order to combat the fluid build-up, but there were complications during the procedure.
Devastatingly, Kudo’s death was subsequently announced, with the former Japanese international passing away premature at the age of just 32-years-old.
Needless to say, our thoughts and prayers are with Kudo’s friends and family at this impossibly tragic time. May he rest in peace.
