Uruguayan footballer, Juan Izquierdo confirmed dead after collapsing on pitch

South American football is in mourning after the tragic death of Uruguayan defender Juan Izquierdo.

The 27-year-old collapsed on the pitch during a Copa Libertadores match last week due to an irregular heartbeat.

Izquierdo’s club, Nacional, confirmed the cause of death as cardiorespiratory arrest caused by cardiac arrhythmia, according to a medical report from the Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo, Brazil.

The incident occurred at 9:38 p.m. local time on Tuesday (0038 GMT Wednesday), marking a heartbreaking loss for the football community.

Izquierdo’s death was an “irreparable loss,” Nacional said in a post on social media platform X.

The head of South American football association CONMEBOL, Alejandro Domínguez, expressed his condolences to Izquierdo’s club and his family.

“South American football is in mourning,” he said.

Izquierdo made his debut in Uruguay’s first division with Club Atlético Cerro in 2018. He moved to Nacional in 2022.

During his time there, he played 33 games and scored two goals.

São Paulo won the game 2-0 last Thursday and progressed to the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores.