Uruguayan player dies in hospital days after collapsing during game

SAO PAULO:

Uruguayan soccer player Juan Izquierdo died on Tuesday at a hospital in Brazil, five days after collapsing during a game at Sao Paulo. He was 27.

Hospital Albert Einstein in Sao Paulo said in a statement that the Nacional defender died at 9:38 p.m. local time following "cardiorespiratory arrest associated with his cardiac arrhythmia."

Izquierdo collapsed last Thursday in a Copa Libertadores soccer match between Nacional and Sao Paulo at the Brazilian city's Morumbi Stadium.

Izquierdo's wife, Selena, shared a message on Izquierdo's social media channels to "say goodbye to my half, the love of my life".

They have two children -- the youngest, a boy, was born earlier in August.

"For many, Juan Izquierdo, my Juanma, my best friend, my husband, the father of my children, my unconditional partner. Today a part of me dies with you," she said.

Mateo Antoni, a teammate of Izquierdo's, said the defender "helped, advised, mentored, demanded, insulted, hugged and laughed" with him.

"I can't describe how great you were with me," he said in a letter. "What remains with me for all my life is that I know that I will always watch your back because I know you will be watching mine."

The Uruguayan club posted a statement on social media saying Izquierdo's death is felt "in deep pain and impact in our hearts" and "all Nacional is in grief for his irreplaceable loss".

South American soccer's governing body also posted a tribute. CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez said he's "deeply sorry about the early departure of Juan Izquierdo.

"South American soccer is in mourning," he said.

Other federations, including Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina, also expressed their condolences.

Doctors at the hospital said earlier this week that Izquierdo was put into neurological critical care because of increased intracranial pressure. He had been on a ventilator since Sunday.

Uruguayan national team players were among those expressing their condolences.

"Pain, sadness, it is hard to explain," Inter Miami striker Luis Suarez said. "May he rest in peace. I wish a lot of strength for his family and friends."

Uruguay's first- and second-division soccer leagues were postponed last weekend due to concerns over Izquierdo's health.

Sao Paulo players wore a shirt in support of the Uruguayan footballer before the team's 2-1 Brazilian league win against Vitoria on Sunday.

The Brazilian club also posted a message after Izquierdo's death.

"We had days of prayers, union and hope, and today we are in deep sadness with the news of the death of Juan Izquierdo," Sao Paulo's club statement said. "Our condolences to family, friends, teammates, Nacional fans and all the Uruguayan people in this moment of grief."

- AP