Uruguayan footballer Juan Izquierdo tragically passed away on Tuesday in a Brazilian hospital, five days after he collapsed during a match in Sao Paulo. The 27-year-old Nacional defender’s death was confirmed by Hospital Albert Einstein in Sao Paulo, attributing it to a cardiorespiratory arrest linked to his cardiac arrhythmia.
Izquierdo was rushed to the hospital after he collapsed just before the end of a Copa Libertadores match at Sao Paulo’s Morumbi Stadium last Thursday. His sudden death has sent shockwaves through the football community, with his club Nacional expressing their deep sorrow and grief over his irreplaceable loss.
Tributes poured in from across the football world, including from the South American soccer’s governing body. CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez expressed his deep regret over the untimely death of Izquierdo, stating that South American soccer is in mourning. Other football federations, including those from Uruguay, Brazil, and Argentina, also extended their condolences.
Izquierdo was admitted to neurological critical care due to increased intracranial pressure, according to a statement released by the hospital on Monday. He had been on a ventilator since Sunday. Reports from Uruguayan media indicated that Izquierdo’s parents and Nacional executives were present at the hospital in Sao Paulo. Izquierdo leaves behind a wife and two children, the youngest of whom was born earlier this month.
In response to Izquierdo’s health crisis, Uruguay’s first- and second-division soccer leagues were postponed last weekend. Sao Paulo players also showed their support by wearing a shirt in honor of Izquierdo before their 2-1 Brazilian league win against Vitoria on Sunday.
Izquierdo’s professional career began in 2018 at local club Cerro. He later joined Peñarol in 2019, but saw limited playing time. After leaving Peñarol, Izquierdo moved to Montevideo Wanderers. His impressive form and tackling skills caught the attention of Mexico’s San Luís in 2021, but he soon returned to Montevideo Wanderers. Izquierdo was signed by Nacional in 2022, played one match, and then was transferred to the local Liverpool club.
Izquierdo was a key player in Liverpool’s campaign that led the team to a Uruguayan league title in 2023, the club’s first in over a century. He returned to Nacional this year and was competing for a position in the starting lineup with veteran Sebastián Coates, who played for Uruguay’s national team. He played 23 matches this year and scored one goal.