Juan Izquierdo, a defender for Nacional of Uruguay, tragically passed away following a cardiac arrhythmia during a Copa Libertadores match against São Paulo.
🚨Increíble lo de Juan Izquierdo lo están atendiendo en el hospital del estadio en este momento. QUE NO SEA NADA 🙏🏻pic.twitter.com/kICTJsvxur
— Martin Olivera (@olivera_martin1) August 22, 2024
The incident, which occurred on a fateful Thursday at the Morumbi Stadium, left the football world in shock as Izquierdo, only 27, battled for his life before succumbing to brain death confirmed by Nacional and São Paulo’s Albert Einstein Hospital.
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Career of Juan Izquierdo
Starting his career at Cerro in Montevideo in 2018, Izquierdo’s journey in football took him through clubs like Peñarol and Montevideo Wanderers before a brief stint in Mexico with Atlético San Luis.
Juan Izquierdo se suma esta mañana al plantel principal. ¡Bienvenido a #Peñarol! pic.twitter.com/DaN3pBdi3i
— PEÑAROL (@OficialCAP) February 7, 2019
His return to Uruguay was successful at Liverpool URU, where his formidable play helped the team clinch the Uruguayan Championship—a first in their long history.
In 2024, Izquierdo rejoined Nacional, cementing his place as a key player. His return to Nacional was timely; his robust defense contributed significantly to the team, although his tenure was cut tragically short. His last season was promising, marked by 24 appearances and a goal.
Juan Izquierdo had notable achievements in his football career, securing several trophies before his untimely passing. He won the Uruguayan Primera División twice; first with Nacional in 2022 and then with Liverpool FC Montevideo in 2023.
2023🏆🥇 pic.twitter.com/71fXs7Fl1d
— Juan Izquierdo (@JuanIzquierdo97) December 17, 2023
Additionally, he was part of the Liverpool FC Montevideo team that won the Supercopa Uruguaya in 2023. Earlier in his career, Izquierdo was also a runner-up in the Uruguayan Primera División in 2019 while playing for Peñarol.
A call to reason
Juan Izquierdo’s sudden illness during a game shocked everyone. He got quick medical help and intense treatment right away, including resuscitation and mechanical ventilation. But sadly, his condition got worse.
Con el más profundo dolor e impacto en nuestros corazones, el Club Nacional de Football comunica el fallecimiento de nuestro querido jugador Juan Izquierdo.
Expresamos nuestras más sinceras condolencias a su familia, amigos, colegas y allegados.
Todo Nacional está de luto por… pic.twitter.com/mYU28mqw6m
— Nacional (@Nacional) August 28, 2024
This health crisis with Izquierdo questions the safety of athletes and whether the medical checks we have now are good enough. Nacional’s president, Alejandro Balbi, even said that Izquierdo never had heart issues before. His medical tests were always clear, which makes this situation not only surprising but also heartbreaking.
Off the field, Izquierdo’s life was full of love and new beginnings. He and his wife, Selena, who he’d been married for ten years, had just had their second child, born just a week before this sad incident.
Juan Izquierdo’s story is a touching reminder of how quickly things can change. His life and career stopped too soon. It’s a wake-up call for better safety measures in sports.
