Fernando Chalana Cause of Death

Ex-Portugal midfielder Fernando Chalana has died aged 63, his former club Benfica announced on Wednesday, August 10, 2022.

Chalana died due to degenerative disease, the result of a continuous process based on degenerative cell changes, affecting tissues or organs, which increasingly deteriorates over time.

Many degenerative diseases exist and some are related to aging.

Normal bodily wear or lifestyle choices (such as exercise or eating habits) may worsen degenerative diseases. However, this depends on the disease.

Sometimes the main or partial cause behind such diseases is genetic. Thus some are clearly hereditary like Huntington’s disease. Sometimes the cause is viruses, poisons or other chemicals. The cause may also be unknown.

Some degenerative diseases can be cured.

Born in Barreiro, Setúbal District, Chalana began his football career at F.C. Barreirense, before moving to Lisbon neighbours S.L. Benfica in 1974.

Chalana played at Benfica for eight years, where he became a fan-favorite,  scoring and assisting alike as he helped them conquer, amongst other accolades, five Primeira Liga and three Taça de Portugal trophies.

Chalana ended his career at the age of 33, with one season apiece with Lisbon-based sides C.F. Os Belenenses and C.F. Estrela da Amadora, the latter in the second division.