A footballer tragically slumped and died during a match. Read more about the shocking incident and its impact on the football community.
On August 22, 2024, Juan Izquierdo, a Uruguayan defender aged only 27 years old met his untimely demise. The football community is grieving over this tragic loss.
During a Copa Libertadores match against São Paulo, Izquierdo experienced a deadly heart attack, causing shock and deep sadness throughout the football community.
Expressing their profound grief, Nacional – the club of Izquierdo – confirmed the heartbreaking news on X (previously known as Twitter) platform.
The club expressed their sincere sympathies to the family, friends, and loved ones of Juan Izquierdo in a statement which emphasized the extent of his loss. “With heavy sadness and disbelief,” read the official announcement from Club Nacional, “we sadly inform you that our cherished player Juan Izquierdo has passed away.”
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Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones. We mourn alongside the entire Nacional community for such an immeasurable loss.
The tragic news echoed through the football community. CONMEBOL’s president, Alejandro Domínguez, conveyed his sympathies and acknowledged that “South American football is in grief.” São Paulo team shared their profound sorrow regarding the occurrence and termed it a “gloomy day for soccer.”
During the 84th minute of the game, Izquierdo abruptly fell on the field. He was promptly taken to Hospital Albert Einstein where medical professionals determined he had experienced a “cardiorespiratory arrest due to cardiac arrhythmia.” Despite receiving top-notch care and being placed on a ventilator by doctors, his condition only worsened until his untimely demise.
Players from São Paulo team demonstrated their solidarity by wearing shirts paying tribute to Izquierdo in later matches. Similarly, Uruguayan football leagues postponed games as a mark of respect for his demise. The entire football fraternity has come together to mourn the loss of a player who made an indelible impression on the sport and left behind unforgettable memories.
Juan Izquierdo played for a number of distinguished Uruguayan teams during his professional career, such as Liverpool, Cerro, Peñarol and Montevideo Wanderers. He was particularly key to helping Liverpool secure their league championship in 2023 with his valuable contributions.
He showed his commitment and enthusiasm for the game by aiming to secure a starting position upon returning to Nacional this year.
The sudden passing of Juan Izquierdo serves as a poignant reminder that life can be delicate, even for those who appear to be thriving. Though the football community grieves his absence, there is no doubt that his memory will live on through his exceptional skills and unwavering commitment to the sport.
