Uruguayan Footballer Juan Izquierdo Dies After Collapsing During Copa Libertadores Match

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 28 (Bernama-dpa) — Uruguayan footballer Juan Izquierdo has tragically passed away at the age of 27, just days after collapsing during a Copa Libertadores match in Brazil. His club, Nacional, confirmed his death on Tuesday.

According to the announcement from Nacional, Izquierdo suffered cardiorespiratory arrest caused by a cardiac arrhythmia. He was being treated at Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo, where he passed away at 9:38 p.m. on Tuesday evening (0038 GMT Wednesday).

The centre-back collapsed in the 84th minute of the second leg of the round of 16 tie against São Paulo FC last Thursday.

Nacional expressed their deep sorrow over the loss, describing Izquierdo’s death as an “irreparable loss” in a post on social media platform X.

Alejandro Domínguez, the head of the South American football association CONMEBOL, offered his condolences to Izquierdo’s family and club, stating, “South American football is in mourning.”

Izquierdo began his professional career in Uruguay’s first division with Club Atlético Cerro in 2018 before joining Nacional in 2022. During his time with the club, he made 33 appearances and scored two goals.

Despite São Paulo winning the match 2-0 last Thursday and advancing to the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals, the football community is deeply saddened by the untimely loss of Izquierdo.