Uruguayan soccer player Juan Izquierdo tragically passed away at the age of 27 on Tuesday at a hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Izquierdo collapsed during a Copa Libertadores soccer match between Nacional and Sao Paulo at Morumbi Stadium last Thursday and was rushed to Hospital Albert Einstein. Despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to cardiorespiratory arrest associated with cardiac arrhythmia.
The news of Izquierdo's death has deeply impacted the soccer community, with Nacional expressing profound sorrow and grief over the loss of their player. CONMEBOL, the governing body of South American soccer, also paid tribute to Izquierdo, as did various national federations.
Izquierdo, a talented defender, began his professional career in 2018 and played for several clubs before joining Nacional in 2022. He was a key player in Liverpool's Uruguayan league title win in 2023.
The soccer world mourns the loss of Izquierdo, with players, clubs, and fans expressing their condolences and support for his family. The tragic event has brought back memories of a similar incident almost two decades ago when another player collapsed and passed away during a match at Morumbi Stadium, leading to changes in health protocols in Brazilian soccer.
As the soccer community mourns the loss of Juan Izquierdo, his memory will live on through his contributions to the sport and the impact he had on those who knew him.