Uruguayan footballer Juan Izquierdo passes away five days after falling unconscious on the pitch

South American football has witnessed a heartbreaking tragedy. 27-year-old Uruguayan defender, Juan Izquierdo lost his life on Tuesday after a five-day battle. During Nacional’s game against Sao Paulo in the Copa Libertadores on August 22, Izquierdo collapsed at the 84ᵗʰ minute whilst losing consciousness. The incident seemed a bewildering one due to no evident physical contact by Juan Izquierdo before his collapse.

An unconscious Juan Izquierdo immediately received medical attention and was transferred by ambulance to the nearby Albert Einstein Hospital to receive the requisite medical treatment. Unfortunately, the Nacional player did not make it. His club, Nacional, announced his death on its social media handle: “We express our sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones. All of Nacional is mourning his irreparable loss.

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Juan Izquierdo suffered an arrhythmia causing his heart to stop which was declared as the reason for the tragedy. Since then, tributes have poured in from every corner of the football community. Izquierdo’s last opponent, Sao Paulo decided to let its players wear shirts in support of the Uruguayan on the weekend. The Federation of Football in Uruguay also halted all domestic games since the incident, awaiting the final news on the player’s condition.

Revisiting Juan Izquierdo’s football career

Juan Izquierdo moved back to Nacional in January 2024 after his first spell at the club in 2022. The defender was a well-known name in the Primera Division of Uruguayan football, having made over 100 appearances in his senior professional career. His best stint, though, came with the local Liverpool side in 2023 where he was one of the most crucial players en route to the league glory.

Izquierdo’s senior career lasted for six years after his debut in 2018 with Cerro. Following that, he was associated with a plethora of clubs in Uruguay. The late footballer won two Uruguayan Primera Division titles, one each with Nacional and Liverpool as well as a Supercopa Uruguaya in 2023 with the latter.