On the night of this Tuesday (27), the Nacional Football Club of Uruguay confirmed the sad news of the passing of Juan Manuel Izquierdo, a 27-year-old Uruguayan player.
Izquierdo had been hospitalized in the ICU of Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo since last Thursday (22), after suffering a sudden health issue during a Copa Libertadores match against São Paulo, held at the Morumbi Stadium.
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Izquierdo suffered a cardiac arrest
According to the medical report, Izquierdo suffered a cardiac arrest associated with a heart arrhythmia. Unfortunately, he did not survive the complications and passed away due to brain death. The news shocked the football world, especially in Uruguay, where the athlete was known for his dedication and skill on the field.
Izquierdo’s Career
Juan Manuel Izquierdo Viana was born on July 4, 1997, in the Nuevo Paris neighborhood of Montevideo, Uruguay. From a young age, he showed talent and passion for football, starting his journey at Club San Francisco in his hometown.
His skills quickly caught attention, and he went through the youth ranks of Liverpool FC and later CA Cerro. It was at Cerro that Izquierdo made his official debut in the Uruguayan first division in 2018.
Throughout his career, Izquierdo played for several clubs, including Peñarol, Montevideo Wanderers, San Luis in Mexico, and Liverpool in Uruguay.
It was at Liverpool that he experienced some of his best moments, winning the Supercopa and the Uruguayan Championship in 2023. In 2022, Izquierdo joined Nacional Football Club, where he stood out in his first stint by winning the Clausura title and the Uruguayan Championship.
In his second stint at Nacional, which began in 2024, Izquierdo helped the team win the Intermediate Tournament, demonstrating his talent and commitment to the club. According to Nacional, in his two stints at the club, Izquierdo played 33 matches and scored two goals. His debut for Nacional took place in a friendly match on January 24, 2022.
Nacional pays tribute to Izquierdo
The news of Izquierdo’s passing caused great sorrow at Nacional and among his teammates. In an official statement, the club paid tribute to the player, highlighting his commitment and charisma.
“Juan Manuel was a sportsman committed to the institution and beloved by all his teammates and members of the Nacional Football Club. Dear Juan, you will always be in our memory,” the statement concluded.
Izquierdo was married and the father of two children, a two-year-old girl and a newborn baby. His death represents an immeasurable loss for his family, friends, and Uruguayan football.
