At only 27 years old

Footballer dies after collapsing on the pitch

Juan Izquierdo collapsed on the pitch - now he is dead.(Bild: AFP or licensors)

A few days after collapsing during a Copa Libertadores match in Brazil, Uruguayan footballer Juan Izquierdo has died at the age of 27. The cause of death was cardiovascular arrest, his club Nacional announced, citing the doctors treating him in São Paulo.

Izquierdo died on Tuesday evening (local time), according to a hospital statement.

Juan Izquierdo(Bild: NORBERTO DUARTE)

The central defender faltered in the 84th minute of the second leg of the round of 16 tie against São Paulo last Thursday, fell over and was taken off the pitch unconscious.

(Bild: AFP or licensors)

According to the hospital, a cardiac arrhythmia was diagnosed.

"You will always be with us"
Izquierdo's death was an "irreplaceable loss" for his club, according to a post on social media. "Juan, you will always be with us." São Paulo FC also announced that it was a sad day for soccer. The president of the South American soccer association Conmebol, Alejandro Domínguez, expressed his condolences to Izquierdo's club and his family. "South American soccer is in mourning."

Leaves behind wife and two children
Izquierdo made his debut in the first division for the club Atlético Cerro in 2018. He had been playing for Nacional since 2022, during which time he played 33 games and scored two goals.

He is survived by his wife Selene and two children - the second was born just a few days before Izquierdo's collapse, according to Nacional president Alejandro Balbi.