SAO PAULO — Uruguayan soccer player Juan Izquierdo died in a Brazilian hospital on Tuesday, five days after collapsing during a match in Sao Paulo.
He was 27 years old.
The Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo said in a statement that the Nacional defender died at 9:38pm local time after “cardiac arrest following arrhythmia.”
Izquierdo collapsed just before the end of a Copa Libertadores football match at Sao Paulo's Morumbi Stadium last Thursday and was taken to hospital.
The Uruguayan club posted statement On social media, the club said Izquierdo's death “has caused deep pain and shock in our hearts” and that “the whole Nacional is mourning his irreplaceable loss.”
South American football governing bodies also posted Tribute.
“We deeply regret Juan Izquierdo's early departure,” CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez said in a statement.
“South American football is in mourning,” he said. Other confederations, including Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina, also expressed condolences.
Doctors at the hospital said in a statement on Monday that Izquierdo had been admitted to the neurological intensive care unit with increased intracranial pressure.
Copa Libertadores third round second leg photos
Football match between Nacional of Uruguay and Allways of Bolivia
Ready to go at Gran Parque Central Stadium in Montevideo.
March 14, 2024. AFP via Getty Images
He had been on a ventilator since Sunday.
Uruguayan media reported that Izquierdo's parents and Nacional officials were in hospital in Sao Paulo. Izquierdo is married and has two children, a boy born in early August.
Uruguay's first and second division soccer leagues postponed The event was canceled last weekend due to concerns over Izquierdo's health.
Sao Paulo players wore shirts in support of the Uruguayan footballer before their 2-1 win over Vitoria in the Brazilian league on Sunday.
Brazilian clubs also posted messages following Izquierdo's death.
“After days of prayer, solidarity and hope, we are deeply saddened today by the news of the death of player Juan Izquierdo,” the Sao Paulo club said in a statement. “Our condolences go to his family, friends, teammates, Nacional fans and all the people of Uruguay in this time of grief.”
Izquierdo's professional career began in 2018 with hometown club Cerro.
He joined Peñarol the following year but did not get much playing time.
Libertadores group stage second leg soccer match
Paraguayan Libertad and Uruguayan Nacional at La Huerta
It will take place on May 30, 2024 at the Asuncion Stadium. AFP via Getty Images
“Peñarol deeply regrets the passing of Juan Manuel Izquierdo. We offer our heartfelt condolences. Our heartfelt support goes out to his family, friends and Nacional in this very difficult time,” Peñarol said on its social media channels.
After leaving Peñarol, Izquierdo moved to Montevideo Wanderers.
His athleticism and sharp tackling caught the attention of Mexican side San Luis in 2021, but he soon returned to Montevideo Wanderers.
Izquierdo signed with Nacional for 2022 and played one game before moving to his hometown club Liverpool.
The defender was one of Liverpool's best players in the season he led the team to the Uruguayan league title in 2023, the club's first title in more than a century.
Izquierdo returned to Nacional this year and competed for a starting spot with Sebastian Coates, a veteran who played for Uruguay.
He has played in 23 games this year and scored one goal.
