Uruguayan club Nacional said on Tuesday that defender Juan Izquierdo, who collapsed on the pitch after suffering an irregular heartbeat last week, has died.
The 27-year-old has been undergoing medical treatment since collapsing during a Copa Libertadores match against Sao Paulo on August 22 in Brazil.
“It is with great sadness and shock in our hearts that Nacional announces the death of our beloved player Juan Izquierdo,” Nacional wrote on its website.
“We express our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones. All of Nacional is in mourning for his irreparable loss.”
Alejandro Dominguez, president of the South American Football Confederation, also offered his condolences to Izquierdo’s family and friends.
“South American football is in mourning,” he added.
Sao Paulo’s management said it was deeply saddened by the news, describing it as a “sad day for football.”
Izquierdo fell to the ground unconscious in the 84th minute of the match at the Morumbi Stadium without making contact with any other player.
He was taken off the field in an ambulance before being treated in the intensive care unit at Albert Einstein Hospital.
