Nacional (Uruguay) footballer Juan Izquierdo died in Brazil after suffering a heart attack last Thursday during the match against São Paulo at Morumbi in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores. This was announced by the club, five days after the 27-year-old defender was hospitalized.
“It is with the deepest pain and shock in our hearts that Club Nacional de Football announces the passing of our beloved player Juan Izquierdo. We express our most sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones. All of Nacional is mourning his irreparable loss. RIP. Juan, you will be with us forever,” the club said on social media.
READ MORE
++ From Cerro to Copa: the rise and sudden passing of Nacional’s star defender Juan Izquierdo
++ Izquierdo’s situation is “practically irreversible,” says Uruguayan consul
++ Palmeiras cash in on Endrick’s first goal for Real Madrid
After the news spread, other clubs expressed their pain and sadness at the death and expressed their support for both his family and Nacional. “We are living days of prayer, unity and hope, and today we are deeply saddened by the news of Juan Izquierdo’s passing,” said São Paulo.
Vivemos dias de orações, união e esperança, e hoje estamos em profunda tristeza com a notícia do falecimento de Juan Izquierdo, atleta do @Nacional.
Nossas condolências aos familiares, amigos, colegas de trabalho, torcedores do Nacional e a todo o povo uruguaio neste momento de… pic.twitter.com/DMC9aHAvmU
— São Paulo FC (@SaoPauloFC) August 28, 2024
“Our condolences to his family, friends, co-workers, Nacional fans and all the Uruguayan people in this moment of pain. A sad day for football. Rest in peace, Juan,” he added. The Tricolor São Paulo squad permanently accompanied the footballer’s entourage at the Israelita Albert Einstein Hospital in the city, where he remained hospitalized, and gestures such as that of striker Jonathan Calleri offering his credit card to cover expenses related to that hospitalization were made public.
“Our condolences to everyone at Nacional. All of South American football is in mourning,” said Fluminense. “Football is in mourning and shocked by this fatality. Our condolences to the fans, collaborators and former teammates of Club Nacional and to all the fans, friends and family of Izquierdo,” Flamengo posted.
O Clube de Regatas do Flamengo lamenta profundamente a perda de Juan Izquierdo, jogador uruguaio que nos deixou nesta terça-feira. O futebol está de luto e em choque por conta desta fatalidade. Nossos sentimentos a torcedores, funcionários e ex-companheiros do Club Nacional e a…
— Flamengo (@Flamengo) August 28, 2024
“Palmeiras deeply regrets the death of Nacional centre-back Juan Izquierdo and offers its condolences to the player’s family and friends at this time of great sadness for the world of football,” the São Paulo team said. “Corinthians stands in solidarity with their family and friends at this time of mourning. Rest in peace, Juan!” Timão said on social media.
O Sport Club Corinthians Paulista lamenta, com pesar, o falecimento do atleta Juan Izquierdo, jogador do Nacional-URU, nesta terça-feira (27).
O Corinthians se solidariza com a família e amigos neste momento de luto.
Descanse em paz, Juan! pic.twitter.com/GvOP548pMr
— Corinthians (@Corinthians) August 28, 2024
Similar messages were expressed by official accounts of other sports, such as NFL Brazil, and clubs from other countries, including Real Madrid. “We want to express our condolences and affection to Juan Izquierdo’s family, his teammates and loved ones, to Club Nacional de Football, to all the clubs he was part of, to Uruguayan football and all its fans,” the team from the Spanish capital said in a statement.
