Juan Izquierdo: Footballer Who Collapsed During Game Dies in Hospital

Juan Izquierdo, a Uruguayan footballer who collapsed on the pitch during a game in Brazil last week, died on Tuesday, August 27.

Juan’s death was confirmed by his club in a statement.

The 27-year-old footballer was playing for Nacional, a Uruguayan club, in the Copa Libertadores.

Copa Libertadores is a major South American tournament, when Juan suffered cardiac arrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat, and cardiac arrest on August 22.

His club was playing against Brazilian club Sao Paulo.

“It is with the deepest sorrow and shock in our hearts that the Club Nacional announces the death of our beloved player Juan Izquierdo,”

“We express our most sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones. All of Nacional is in mourning for his irreparable loss.” Nacional statement read.

Juan’s professional career began in 2018 at local club Cerro.

He joined Penarol the following year, but didn’t get much playing time.

The player then moved to Montevideo Wanderers.

Juan was signed by Nacional in 2022, played one match and then was transferred to the local Liverpool club.

The defender was one of Liverpool’s best players in the season that led the team to a Uruguayan league title in 2023, the club’s first in more than a century.

He returned to Nacional in 2024 and was vying for a position in the starting lineup with veteran Coates, who played for Uruguay’s national team.

Juan played 23 matches this year and scored one goal.

Former Ghana national team captain Michael Essien is in serious financial problems, as two of his properties are likely to be auctioned off following a court order.

Essien was sanctioned by the Deputy Sheriff of the High Court’s Commercial Division on June 12, 2024, for properties in prestigious districts of Accra, Ghana.