New Delhi: Uruguay 27-year-old defender Juan Izquierdo, who collapsed on the pitch during a Copa Libertadores after suffering from an irregular heartbeat earlier this month, has died, announced by his club Nacional team. Izquierdo had been undergoing treatment in hospital since his collapse during Nacional’s game against Sao Paulo.
The club posted on X to inform about his death, stating, “It is with the deepest sorrow and shock in our hearts that the Club Nacional announces the death of our beloved player Juan Izquierdo.” Furthermore, “We express our most sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones. All of Nacional is in mourning for his irreparable loss.”
Con el más profundo dolor e impacto en nuestros corazones, el Club Nacional de Football comunica el fallecimiento de nuestro querido jugador Juan Izquierdo.
Expresamos nuestras más sinceras condolencias a su familia, amigos, colegas y allegados.
Todo Nacional está de luto por… pic.twitter.com/mYU28mqw6m
— Nacional (@Nacional) August 28, 2024
On hearing about the same a spokesperson for Sao Paulo said, “It was a sad day for football”. The president of South American football’s governing body Alejandro Dominguez has extended his condolences to Izquierdo’s family and friends.
Uruguay star striker Luis Suarez also said, “Pain, sadness, it is hard to explain. May he rest in peace. I wish a lot of strength for his family and friends.”
The Uruguay defender was taken to the Albert Einstein Hospital after he collapsed on Thursday. He was put on a ventilator on Sunday and has been under neurological care since Monday. Doctors at the hospital had said in a statement that Izquierdo had “cardiorespiratory arrest associated with his cardiac arrhythmia.”
Juan Izquierdo came as a half-time substitute for former Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates during the Nacional match against Sao Paulo. He fell to the ground unconscious in the 84th minute without coming into contact with any other player. Players called out for immediate medical assistance, and Izquierdo was taken off the pitch in an ambulance before being rushed to an intensive care unit.
Uruguay’s first and second-division football leagues were also postponed due to concerns over the 27-year-old health on the weekend. A jersey in honour of the Uruguayan footballer was worn by Sao Paulo players before the team’s 2-1 Brazilian league victory over Vitória on Sunday.
Uruguayan footballer Juan Izquierdo dies after collapsing on pitch due to heart complications. Hospitalized since the incident, he was in neurological care. Nacional club mourns his loss. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
