In the heart of a football match, tragedy struck when Uruguayan star Juan Izquierdo collapsed. This heartbreaking incident took place during a Copa Libertadores match against São Paulo FC, leaving the world of football in shock. The 27-year-old player, known for his time at Club Atlético Cerro and Nacional, succumbed to cardiac arrest, as confirmed by doctors at the Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo.
Tuesday, January 29, 2025, became a day of mourning in the football community. The 84th minute of the return leg match last Thursday saw Izquierdo lose consciousness and be transported off the pitch in an ambulance. Hospital Diagnosis soon confirmed cardiac arrhythmia.
Football, a sport of passion and triumph, was now overshadowed by sadness. Nacional, Izquierdo's club, described his loss as "irreparable" on their platform. São Paulo FC echoed the sentiment, agreeing that it was a devastating day for football. Sympathies poured in from Alejandro Domínguez, president of the South American football confederation CONMEBOL, to Izquierdo's family and teammates.
Izquierdo left behind a loving family, including his wife Selene and two children, including a newborn just born days before his collapse. Nacional President Alejando Balbi confirmed this bittersweet news.
São Paulo celebrated a 2:0 victory in the match, still advancing to the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals – this South American tournament being comparable to the Champions League in Europe. However, the tournament's focus shifted from triumph to tragedy, leaving both teams shaken.
The shocking news spread through the football community, placing an unwanted shadow on the competition. Reminders of Izquierdo's impact on football filled the air – from his early days as a coffee seller in Uruguay to his maturation into a beloved figure in the sport. Heartbreaking as it was, football continued its course, carrying the memory of Juan Izquierdo with it.
[1] NDTV Sports, January 29, 2025: "Uruguayan footballer Juan Izquierdo hospitalized due to cardiac arrhythmia"
