Juan Manuel Izquierdo and Other Tragic Deaths in Football
This time, football mourns the Uruguayan defender Juan Izquierdo, who passed away this Tuesday in São Paulo after collapsing on August 22 at the 84th minute of the Copa Libertadores match between Nacional and São Paulo.
The player, who started the match on the bench and came on for the second half in place of Sebastián Coates, fell to the ground and had to be removed from the stadium in an ambulance.
Following this incident, the Uruguayan club reported that the 27-year-old defender suffered a cardiac arrhythmia and was admitted to the intensive care unit at the Albert Einstein Israelita Hospital in São Paulo, where he passed away despite all medical efforts.
Izquierdo's death inevitably brings a recount of other similar tragic events in football.
Cases Where Death Defeated Football:
Moustapha Sylla in 2023: The Ivorian Moustapha Sylla died on March 5, 2023, during a match when his team, Racing Club Abidjan, faced Sol FC in the Ivory Coast League. The 21-year-old full-back collapsed on the field and lost his life due to a cardiac arrest.
Raphael Dwamena in 2023: Raphael Dwamena, Ghanaian national team player, passed away on November 11, 2023, at the age of 28 after collapsing during a match between his team, Egnatia, and Partizani in the Albanian Serie A. Dwamena died in the hospital following an attempt to revive him at the stadium. He had a history of heart issues and had previously collapsed in October 2021 but recovered.
Patrick Ekeng in 2016: Cameroonian Patrick Ekeng, 26, died at the 70th minute of the match between Dinamo Bucharest and Viitorul in the Romanian league on May 6, 2016, seven minutes after replacing Eric Bicfalvi. Ekeng collapsed on the field and, despite medical efforts, could not be saved.
Cristian Gómez in 2015: Argentine Cristian Gómez, 27, died minutes after suffering a health crisis during a match between Atlético Paraná and Boca Unidos de Corrientes in the Primera B Nacional on May 24, 2015. Gómez collapsed on the field after half an hour of play.
Carlos Barra in 2014: Chilean Carlos Barra, 23, of Deportes Maipo Quilicura, died of a cardiac arrest on September 3, 2014, during a friendly match against Palestino. Despite attempts at resuscitation, he passed away on the field.
Héctor Sanabria in 2013: Argentine Héctor Sanabria, 27, died on August 27, 2013, of a cardiac arrest during the match between his team, Deportivo Laferrere, and General Lamadrid in the Primera C Championship, the fourth division of Argentine football. Sanabria collapsed at the 29th minute and was taken by ambulance to a nearby clinic.
Yair Clavijo in 2013: At just 18 years old, Peruvian Yair Clavijo of Sporting Cristal passed away on July 21, 2013, during a match against Real Garcilaso in the Reserve Tournament. Clavijo suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest and died five minutes before the end of the match. The exact cause was cerebral edema and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Piermario Morosini in 2012: Livorno player Piermario Morosini, 25, died on April 14, 2012, at the Santo Spirito Civil Hospital in Pescara after collapsing due to a cardiac crisis during a Serie B match between his team and Pescara.
Víctor Hugo Ávalos in 2009: Paraguayan Víctor Hugo Ávalos died on April 2, 2009, while celebrating a goal in an amateur tournament match in Asunción. He was 37 years old and had previously played for teams in Argentina, Chile, and Colombia.
Phil O’Donnell in 2007: Motherwell captain Phil O’Donnell, 35, suffered a heart attack on December 29, 2007, while being substituted during a match against Dundee United. He died in the ambulance en route to the hospital.
Antonio Puerta in 2007: Spanish Antonio Puerta, 22, passed away on August 28, 2007, two days after collapsing on the field at the 28th minute of the match between Sevilla and Getafe. Puerta suffered multiple fainting episodes and died from post-anoxic encephalopathy and multi-organ failure.
Serginho in 2004: Sudden death struck defender Paulo Sergio de Oliveira Silva, 'Serginho,' of São Caetano on October 27, 2004, during a match against São Paulo in the Brazilian Championship. Serginho collapsed at the 59th minute and could not be revived.
Miklós Fehér in 2004: Hungarian international Miklós Fehér of Benfica, 24, died on January 25, 2004, at a Guimarães hospital due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy after collapsing on the field during a match against Vitória.
Marc-Vivien Foé in 2003: On June 26, 2003, during the Confederations Cup semifinal between Cameroon and Colombia, midfielder Marc-Vivien Foé collapsed on the field at the 75th minute of the match. Foé suffered a cardiac arrest that ended his life immediately.
Catalín Hildan in 2000: The captain of Dinamo Bucharest, Catalín Hildan, 24, suffered a cerebral hemorrhage on October 5, 2000, during a friendly match against Oltenita. Hildan collapsed at the 74th minute on the field and died in the hospital from a heart attack, despite a recent medical check-up showing no abnormalities.
