South American football is in mourning following the tragic death of Uruguayan defender Juan Izquierdo, who collapsed on the pitch due to an irregular heartbeat during a Copa Libertadores match last week.
Izquierdo, a player for Uruguay’s Nacional, passed away on Tuesday at 9:38 p.m. local time in São Paulo, Brazil.
According to a report from the Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo, the cause of death was cardiorespiratory arrest caused by cardiac arrhythmia. Nacional described Izquierdo’s passing as an “irreparable loss” in a post on social media.
Alejandro Domínguez, the head of the South American Football Association CONMEBOL, offered his condolences to Izquierdo’s club and family, stating, “South American football is in mourning.”
Izquierdo began his professional career in Uruguay’s first division with Club Atlético Cerro in 2018 and joined Nacional in 2022. During his time with Nacional, he made 33 appearances and scored two goals.
The match in which Izquierdo collapsed saw São Paulo win 2-0, advancing to the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores.
