Juan Izquierdo dies aged 27 five days after collapsing on pitch during Copa Libertadores game
Uruguayan football player Juan Izquierdo has died in hospital five days after collapsing on the pitch during a game for his Brazilian club side Nacional.
The 27-year-old suffered an irregular heartbeat and fell to the ground in the 84th minute of a Copa Libertadores away game against Sao Paulo last Thursday.
Rushed to hospital and admitted to intensive care at Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, Izquierdo died on Tuesday following “cardiorespiratory arrest associated with his cardiac arrhythmia”.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“It is with the deepest sorrow and shock in our hearts that the Club Nacional announces the death of our beloved player Juan Izquierdo,” Nacional announced.
“We express our most sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones. All of Nacional is in mourning for his irreparable loss.”
Izquierdo, who had become a father for the second time just two weeks ago, is survived by his wife and their children as well as his parents, who were by his side in hospital.
Izquierdo had been placed under neurological critical care on Monday after already being on a ventilator.
South American football body CONMEBOL led tributes, with the Brazilian federation announcing a minute’s silence for upcoming matches.
Nacional’s rivals Sao Paulo said his death marked a “sad day for football”.
“We had days of prayers, union and hope, and today we are in deep sadness with the news of the death of Juan Izquierdo,” the club said.
“Our condolences to family, friends, teammates, Nacional fans and all the Uruguayan people in this moment of grief.”
The Uruguayan association shared its “deep pain and sadness” in sending condolences to Izquierdo’s family, friends and clubs.
Izquierdo began his career in his home nation with Cerro before stints at Penarol and Montevideo Wanderers.
He moved overseas for the first time when he joined Mexico’s San Luis in 2021 before returning to Wanderers.
He then joined Nacional in Brazil the following year but soon moved back to Uruguay to play for Liverpool, winning a drought-breaking league title.
“With great pain we have to say goodbye to Juan,” Liverpool said.
“Was, is and will always be one of our own. Our deepest condolences to his family, friends and relatives. May you rest in peace, Juan.”
Izquierdo’s performances prompted a return to Nacional and he played 23 matches this season.
Originally published on 7NEWS Sport
