Juan Izquierdo, a prominent Uruguayan footballer, tragically lost his life on Tuesday in a Brazilian hospital. The 27-year-old defender for Nacional had been hospitalized for five days following a collapse during a match in Sao Paulo. Hospital Albert Einstein in Sao Paulo confirmed his passing, citing a cardiorespiratory arrest due to cardiac arrhythmia as the cause of death.
Izquierdo was immediately rushed to the hospital after he collapsed just before the conclusion of a Copa Libertadores match at Sao Paulo’s Morumbi Stadium. His sudden demise has sent ripples of shock and grief throughout the football community. Nacional, his club, expressed profound sorrow over the irreplaceable loss of their player.
Tributes for Izquierdo have been pouring in from all corners of the football world. Alejandro Domínguez, the president of CONMEBOL, the governing body of South American soccer, expressed his deep regret over Izquierdo’s untimely death, stating that South American soccer is in mourning. Football federations from Uruguay, Brazil, and Argentina also extended their condolences.
Izquierdo was admitted to the neurological critical care unit due to increased intracranial pressure, as per a statement released by the hospital. He had been on a ventilator since Sunday. Uruguayan media reported that Izquierdo’s parents and Nacional executives were present at the hospital in Sao Paulo. Izquierdo is survived by his wife and two children, the youngest of whom was born earlier this month.
In the wake of 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 the 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 played a crucial role 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.