Ronald Koeman has announced through his social media the passing at 65 years old of his wife, Bartina Koeman, after battling cancer.
"With much sadness, but also with pride and love, we say goodbye to my beautiful wife, our dearest mum and grandma," reads the emotional message posted by the former player and coach of FC Barcelona.
The Dutch coach, during his time leading the Netherlands national team, had previously responded to a question in a press conference about whether his wife could attend games, acknowledging: "It's difficult for her to come because she receives treatments every Wednesday and has side effects."
Bartina was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, after intensive treatment her condition improved, but in 2018 she relapsed.
Bartina and Ronald Koeman got married in 1985 and had three children (Ronald Jr., Tim, and Debby). One of them, Ronald Koeman Jr, followed in his father's footsteps and is the goalkeeper for Telstar in the Dutch Eredivisie.
FC Barcelona, in a statement, has conveyed "its deepest condolences and all the affection of the Barcelona fans" to Ronald Koeman and his family for the loss of his wife, Bartina.