Uruguayan footballer Juan Izquierdo dies days after collapsing during the Copa Libertadores

MADRID, 28 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –

Uruguayan Nacional footballer Juan Izquierdo died on Tuesday after spending almost a week in hospital with a “critical neurological condition” after collapsing during a Copa Libertadores match against Sao Paulo.

“It is with deepest pain and shock in our hearts that Club Nacional de Football announces the passing of our beloved player Juan Izquierdo. We express our most sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones. All of Nacional is mourning his irreparable loss,” reads a statement.

The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) has “deeply regretted the departure” of Izquierdo and has extended its “heartfelt condolences to his family and friends,” as indicated through its profile on the social network X.

The 27-year-old player suffered a cardiac arrhythmia and was rushed to the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in Sao Paulo (Brazil), where he has been in the Intensive Care Unit ever since. The day before, the hospital announced that he was “in critical neurological condition.”

Last Friday, in the 83rd minute of his team’s Copa Libertadores round of 16 match in the Brazilian city, Izquierdo, who had entered the field to replace Sebastián Coates in the second half, collapsed without any contact with any other player. He had to be treated by medical assistance and taken to hospital.