Uruguayan footballer Juan Izquierdo has tragically passed away at the age of 27 after collapsing on the pitch due to an irregular heartbeat, his club, Club Nacional, confirmed. Izquierdo collapsed during the second leg of a Copa Libertadores round of 16 match against São Paulo at Brazil’s Morumbi stadium on August 22, and had been receiving medical treatment since then.
In a heartfelt message on social media platform X, Club Nacional expressed their profound grief: “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.”
Alejandro Domínguez, president of South American football’s governing body, also offered his condolences, stating, “South American football is in mourning.” São Paulo FC echoed the sentiment, calling it a “sad day for football.”
After his collapse, paramedics rushed Izquierdo to Hospital Albert Einstein, where doctors confirmed that he had suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest associated with cardiac arrhythmia. On Monday, doctors reported that Izquierdo was experiencing increased intracranial pressure and had been on a ventilator since Sunday, receiving critical neurological care.
Out of respect and concern for Izquierdo’s condition, they postponed Uruguay’s first- and second-division football leagues over the weekend. In a show of solidarity, São Paulo players wore shirts in support of Izquierdo during their 2-1 Brazilian league win against Vitória on Sunday.
The incident occurred in the 84th minute of the match against São Paulo, when Izquierdo. Who had come on as a substitute for Sebastián Coates at halftime, collapsed without any contact with another player. Players from both teams immediately signaled for medical assistance, and Izquierdo was stretchered off pitch to the applause of fans. They subsequently admitted him to the intensive care unit at Hospital Albert Einstein.
Juan Izquierdo began his professional football career in 2018 with local club Cerro. He moved to Peñarol the following year but struggled for playing time and subsequently joined Montevideo Wanderers. In 2022, he signed with Nacional, played one match, and was then transferred to Liverpool FC in Montevideo. Izquierdo was instrumental in Liverpool’s historic-campaign, helping team secure its first Uruguayan league title in over a century in 2023.
Izquierdo returned to Nacional in 2024, competing for a starting position alongside veteran Sebastián Coates. Who is also a member of Uruguay’s national team. Over the current season, Izquierdo made 23 appearances and scored one goal.
The football community mourns the loss of Juan Izquierdo, a talented defender whose career was tragically cut short. Fans, teammates, and all who knew him will remember his impact on field and his journey through various-clubs in Uruguay.
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