By Uruguayan soccer player Juan Izquierdo died Tuesday night at Hospital Albert Einstein in São Paulo, five days after collapsing during a Copa Libertadores match. He was 27 years old.
The hospital stated that Izquierdo succumbed to “cardiorespiratory arrest associated with his cardiac arrhythmia” at 9:38 p.m. local time. The Nacional defender had been in critical condition since collapsing late in the game against São Paulo FC at Morumbi Stadium last Thursday.
Izquierdo was rushed to the hospital after the incident, where he was placed in neurological critical care due to increased intracranial pressure. He had been on a ventilator since Sunday, with his condition deteriorating despite medical efforts.
The young player’s death has sent shockwaves through the soccer community. Nacional, Izquierdo’s club, expressed their grief in a statement, saying his loss is felt “in deep pain and impact in our hearts” and that “all Nacional is in grief for his irreparable loss.”
CONMEBOL, South America’s soccer governing body, also paid tribute. President Alejandro Domínguez stated, “South American soccer is in mourning,” echoing sentiments shared by soccer federations across the continent, including those of Uruguay, Brazil, and Argentina.
Izquierdo’s passing has particularly resonated in Uruguay, where first- and second-division leagues were postponed last weekend out of concern for his health. The player, married with two young children, had just welcomed his second child earlier in August.
International soccer stars also expressed their condolences. Inter Miami striker Luis Suárez, a fellow Uruguayan, 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 tragedy has drawn comparisons to a similar incident nearly two decades ago when São Caetano defender Serginho died after collapsing at the same stadium. That event led to changes in Brazilian soccer health protocols, including the requirement for defibrillators at all stadiums.
Izquierdo’s professional career began in 2018 with Cerro, followed by stints at Peñarol, Montevideo Wanderers, and a brief spell in Mexico with San Luís. He was instrumental in Liverpool’s (Uruguay) first league title in over a century in 2023 before returning to Nacional this year.
As the soccer world mourns Izquierdo’s untimely death, questions about player health and safety protocols are likely to resurface. The incident serves as a somber reminder of the risks inherent in professional sports and the importance of robust medical support systems.
Izquierdo’s passing leaves behind a young family and a promising career cut short, prompting reflection on the fragility of life even among elite athletes. As tributes pour in from across the globe, the soccer community unites in grief, remembering a talented player whose life ended far too soon on the field he loved.
