Uruguayan footballer Juan Izquierdo, 27, dies after collapsing during Copa Libertadores match

Uruguayan footballer Juan Izquierdo has died at the age of 27 after collapsing on the field during a Copa Libertadores match.

Club Nacional confirmed on social media that their defender suffered an irregular heartbeat during the match against Sao Paulo at the Estadio do Morumbi on Thursday, August 22. He has been treated in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Sao Paulo since his collapse.

“It is with the deepest pain and shock in our hearts that Club Nacional de Football announces the passing of our beloved player Juan Izquierdo,” Club Nacional wrote on social media.

“We express our sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones. All of Nacional mourns his irreparable loss.

“RIP. Juan, you will be with us forever.”

Izquierdo was brought on as a half-time substitute against Sao Paulo in the second leg of Nacional’s round of 16 before collapsing in the closing stages. Medical staff attended to him on the pitch and he left the stadium in an ambulance.

He was taken to Albert Einstein Hospital and was treated in the ICU, where he was under neurological care. Nacional provided regular updates on his condition.

All Uruguayan Premier Division matches last weekend were postponed following Izquierdo’s collapse.

An ambulance took Izquierdo from the stadium to hospital (Nelosn Almeida/AFP via Getty Images)

Uruguay men’s national team captain Luis Suarez wrote on social media: “Pain, sadness, it’s hard to explain. May he rest in peace. I wish his family and friends a lot of strength.”

Izquierdo began his professional career with Uruguayan side Cerro in his hometown of Montevideo.

He then played for Penarol, Montevideo Wanderers, Atletico San Luis and Montevideo Wanderers before leaving Nacional in 2022.

Izquierdo left for Uruguayan top club Liverpool in 2023, where he won the Uruguayan Premier Division in 2023, before returning to Nacional in January 2024.

“South American football is in mourning,” CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez wrote on social media. “My condolences to Club Nacional de Uruguay and all its loved ones.”

In honor of their player, Nacional wrote: “Juan Manuel was a sportsman dedicated to the club and loved by all his teammates and members of the National Football Club. Dear Juan, you will always remain in our memory.”

(Top photo: Eitan Abramovich/AFP via Getty Images))