A Uruguayan soccer player has tragically passed away aged just 27 after collapsing on the pitch during a game.
Juan Izquierdo collapsed during the second leg of Nacional’s round of 16 tie against São Paulo at Morumbi Stadium in Brazil on August 22, per the Guardian.
It is believed his collapse was caused by an irregular heartbeat and he was immediately transported to the hospital, where he was placed in neurological critical care due to increased intracranial pressure.
Izquierdo had been on a ventilator since Sunday.
The Nacional defender was pronounced dead at 9:38PM local time yesterday, with the hospital confirming the cause as “cardiorespiratory arrest associated with his cardiac arrhythmia.”
Nacional announced Izquierdo's passing in a statement on X (formerly Twitter): “It is with the deepest sorrow and shock in our hearts that the Club Nacional announces the death of our beloved player Juan Izquierdo.
"We express our most sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones. All of Nacional is in mourning for his irreparable loss.”
Alejandro Domínguez, the president of CONMEBOL, also expressed his sympathy, saying: “South American football is in mourning.” São Paulo FC described the day as a “sad day for football.”
Izquierdo collapsed in the 84th minute of the match against São Paulo, after replacing Sebastián Coates at halftime.
The defender fell to the ground without any contact with another player.
Medical staff from both teams rushed onto the pitch, and Izquierdo was taken off the field by ambulance, receiving applause from the fans.
Uruguay's first- and second-division football leagues were postponed last weekend out of concern for Izquierdo's health.
In a show of support, São Paulo players wore shirts honoring the Uruguayan player before their 2-1 victory against Vitória on Sunday.
Izquierdo’s football career began in 2018 with local club Cerro. He joined Peñarol in 2019 but saw limited playing time before moving to Montevideo Wanderers.
In 2022, he was signed by Nacional, where he played one match before being transferred to Liverpool FC in Uruguay.
The defender played a crucial role in Liverpool's campaign, helping them secure their first Uruguayan league title in over a century in 2023.
He returned to Nacional earlier this year, competing for a spot in the starting lineup alongside veteran Coates.
This season, Izquierdo appeared in 23 matches and scored one goal.
Our thoughts are with Izquierdo's fans and loved ones at this time.
