Nacional defender Juan Izquierdo has tragically passed away at the age of 27, just days after collapsing on the pitch during a game in Brazil.
Izquierdo was taken to the Albert Einstein Hospital on Thursday after collapsing during a Copa Libertadores match at Sao Paulo’s Morumbi Stadium.
The centre-back was initially in a stable condition after being rushed to the hospital, with doctors later saying he had a cardio-respiratory arrest associated with irregularities in the heartbeat.
He passed away on Tuesday, his club announced, saying in a statement that his death was felt “in deep pain and impact in our hearts” and that “all Nacional is in grief for his irreplaceable loss”.
Tributes have poured in from across South America, with Uruguay’s first and second-division leagues already postponed on the weekend due to Izquierdo’s health.
Izquierdo plied his trade alongside veteran Uruguayan defender Sebastian Coates at Nacional.
He began his career at Club Atlético Cerro in 2018, followed by two successful stints at Montevideo Wanderers and a title-winning campaign at Liverpool (Montevideo).
Izquierdo was married and had two children, the youngest of whom was born earlier this month.
Pictured above: The late Juan Izquierdo.
Source: @nacional
