Uruguayan soccer player Juan Izquierdo died Tuesday at a hospital in Brazil, five days after collapsing during a game in São Paulo. He was 27.
The Hospital Albert Einstein in São Paulo declared in a statement that the Nacional defender died at 9:38 p.m. local time due to “cardiorespiratory arrest associated with his cardiac arrhythmia.”
Izquierdo collapsed last Thursday during a Copa Libertadores match between Nacional and São Paulo at Morumbi Stadium in São Paulo.
Uruguay’s air force confirmed that one of its planes would transport his coffin to Montevideo later on Wednesday.
Izquierdo’s wife, Selena, conveyed a heart-wrenching message on his social media channels to “say goodbye to my half, the love of my life.” The couple has two children, the youngest of whom was born earlier in August.
“For many, Juan Izquierdo, my Juanma, my best friend, my husband, the father of my children, my unconditional partner. Today a part of me dies with you,” she said.
Mateo Antoni, a teammate of Izquierdo, reflected on their bond, stating the defender “helped, advised, mentored, demanded, insulted, hugged, and laughed” with him.
“I can’t describe how great you were with me,” Antoni wrote in a letter. “What remains with me for all my life is that I know I will always watch your back because I know you will be watching mine.”
The Uruguayan club posted a statement on social media expressing that Izquierdo’s death is felt with “deep pain and impact in our hearts” and added that “all Nacional is in grief for his irreplaceable loss.”
South American soccer’s governing body also posted a tribute. CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez lamented the early departure of Juan Izquierdo, stating, “South American soccer is in mourning.” Various federations, including Uruguay, Brazil, and Argentina, extended their condolences.
Earlier in the week, doctors at the hospital reported that Izquierdo had been placed under neurological critical care due to increased intracranial pressure and had been on a ventilator since Sunday.
Several Uruguayan national team players expressed their condolences. Inter Miami striker Luis Suárez stated, “Pain, sadness, it is hard to explain. May he rest in peace. I wish a lot of strength for his family and friends.”
Soccer leagues in Uruguay’s first and second divisions were postponed last weekend due to concerns over Izquierdo’s health. São Paulo players wore shirts supporting the Uruguayan footballer before their 2-1 Brazilian league win against Vitoria on Sunday.
The Brazilian club released a statement following Izquierdo’s passing: “We had days of prayers, union, and hope, and today we are in deep sadness with the news of the death of Juan Izquierdo. Our condolences to family, friends, teammates, Nacional fans, and all the Uruguayan people in this moment of grief.”
Izquierdo’s professional career commenced in 2018 at local club Cerro. He joined Peñarol the following year but had limited playing time.
Peñarol expressed their sorrow over Izquierdo’s death, stating, “Peñarol is deeply sorry about the passing of Juan Manuel Izquierdo. We express our heartfelt condolences and embrace his family, his friends, and Nacional in this moment of so much pain.”
After leaving Peñarol, Izquierdo moved to Montevideo Wanderers. His athletic prowess and sharp tackles later grabbed the attention of Mexico’s San Luís in 2021, but he quickly returned to the Wanderers. Izquierdo joined Nacional in 2022, played one match, and was then transferred to the local Liverpool club.
The defender became one of Liverpool’s standout players, contributing significantly to the club’s 2023 Uruguayan league title, their first in over a century. Izquierdo returned to Nacional this year, competing for a starting spot with veteran Sebastián Coates. He played 23 matches this year and scored one goal.
Nearly two decades ago, São Caetano defender Serginho died hours after collapsing at Morumbi Stadium during a Brazilian league match against São Paulo. Doctors attempted to resuscitate him on the pitch as fans watched in shock and players wept and prayed on the sidelines.
Serginho’s death led to changes in Brazilian soccer health protocols, requiring defibrillators in every stadium. This life-saving device was employed on Izquierdo as he was rushed to the hospital.
“Such sadness, 20 years later,” former São Caetano player Anderson Lima shared on Instagram. “May God comfort his family in this sad moment.”
