Uruguayan footballer Juan Izquierdo dies aged 27 after collapsing on pitch

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

Izquierdo collapsed on August 22 while playing for Uruguayan Nacional in their Copa Libertadores clash with Brazilian side Sao Paulo.

The 27-year-old was brought on as a half-time substitute, but collapsed in the 84th minute off the ball with nobody around him.

Izquierdo went into cardiac arrest and needed resuscitation at the Morumbi Stadium before he was taken to Hospital Albert Einstein in Sao Paulo.

The Nacional player was placed under neurological critical care and was on a ventilator before Nacional announced his death late on Tuesday, August 27.

Before his death, doctors shared that Izquierdo had shown a "progression of his brain damage and an increase of intracranial pressure," both considered to be life-threatening conditions.

Izquierdo was accompanied at the hospital by his parents, wife and two-year-old daughter.

Nacional confirmed Izquierdo's death with a statement on X which read: "It is with deepest pain and shock in our hearts that Club Nacional de Football announces the passing of our beloved player Juan Izquierdo.

"We express our sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones. All of Nacional is pouring his irreparable loss. RIP. Juan, you will be with us forever."

All football activity was suspended in Uruguay over the weekend following Izquierdo's collapse last week.

In tribute to his fellow Uruguayan, Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde posted on X: "It is difficult to put into words how this news has shook us and the sadness that Juan's sudden death brings.

"My deepest condolences to the entire family, to all of Nacional and to his teammates. May God give peace and comfort, especially to his parents, wife and children. RIP Juan Izquierdo."

After scoring for Inter Miami on Saturday, Luis Suarez - who played with Izquierdo at Nacional in 2022 - paid tribute to the defender by lifting his shirt to reveal the message "Fuerza Juan" written on his undershirt.