In a heartbreaking turn of events, 27-year-old Uruguayan defender Juan Izquierdo passed away on Tuesday after collapsing during the 84th minute of the Copa Libertadores Round of 16 match between Nacional and São Paulo on August 22.
“The Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein regrets to announce the death of Juan Manuel Izquierdo due to brain death following a cardiorespiratory arrest associated with an arrhythmia,” read the hospital’s official statement.
— ➜ Out of Context Libertadores (@OoCL_Videos) August 22, 2024
What Was the Cause of Juan Izquierdo’s Death?
Izquierdo suffered a fatal arrhythmia shortly after coming on as a substitute in the second half of the match at Morumbi Stadium. The footballer collapsed on the pitch and was rushed off in an ambulance, receiving immediate medical attention. He was admitted to the hospital in cardiac arrest and resuscitated with a defibrillator.
Despite the best efforts of the medical team, Izquierdo’s condition worsened. He remained sedated and on mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit, but by Sunday, he showed signs of increasing intracranial pressure and brain involvement. His neurological condition deteriorated further on Monday, and he tragically passed away on Tuesday, surrounded by his family and representatives from his club.
The news has deeply affected Uruguay, where all soccer activities were suspended last weekend in honor of Izquierdo. The suspension will continue into the coming weekend as the nation mourns the loss of one of its own.
Who Was Juan Izquierdo?
Juan Izquierdo began his football journey at Club Atlético Cerro and spent most of his career in Uruguay, playing for clubs such as Liverpool, Wanderers, and Peñarol. His only experience abroad was with Atlético San Luis in Mexico.
Izquierdo’s death has sent shockwaves through the soccer community. Major Brazilian clubs, including Flamengo, Palmeiras, Fluminense, São Paulo, Botafogo, Santos, and Internacional, have expressed their deepest condolences to Izquierdo’s family, friends, and fans, honoring the memory of a talented defender gone too soon.
El momento en el que Juan Izquierdo de Nacional 🇺🇾 se desplomó. pic.twitter.com/w5zq4ecJHg
— Arturo Magallanes (@Arturo_M13) August 23, 2024
