The Morumbi Stadium, usually filled with vibrant chants and bright colors, experienced a very different atmosphere on Wednesday (28). The sudden death of Juan Izquierdo, central defender for Nacional (Uruguay), cast a shadow over the first leg of the Copa do Brasil quarter-final between São Paulo FC and Atlético Mineiro. The news of the young player’s passing, which occurred on Tuesday at Albert Einstein Hospital, shocked the entire Brazilian football community and beyond. Wednesday evening served as a final tribute to the player.
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São Paulo fans, in a remarkable display of solidarity, wore the Uruguayan jersey and waved Nacional flags. Inside Morumbi, the sense of mourning was palpable. Shortly before kickoff, the teams of São Paulo and Atlético-MG gathered at the center of the pitch for a moment of silence. In the stands, the crowd observed this moment with touching fervor. Only a few white balloons, released into the night sky of São Paulo, interrupted this solemn atmosphere. An ovation followed, finally breaking the heavy silence, to honor the young player.
Em memória de Juan Izquierdo. 🤍
📸 Rubens Chiri / São Paulo FC pic.twitter.com/BWYXb8P86f
— São Paulo FC (@SaoPauloFC) August 29, 2024
At just 27, Juan Izquierdo had played his last match on this very pitch at Morumbi during a Copa Libertadores game against São Paulo. That’s where he collapsed after suffering an arrhythmia. Rushed to Albert Einstein Hospital, he passed away a few days later due to brain death, following a cardiorespiratory arrest, according to medical reports.
A hero never forgotten
Tributes were plentiful throughout the evening. The São Paulo players wore Juan Izquierdo’s name on their jerseys, just above their numbers. The scoreboard at Morumbi also displayed the image of the Uruguayan defender on a continuous loop, as a final farewell.
El impresionante minuto de silencio y el sentido homenaje a nuestro querido Juan Izquierdo 🥹🙏pic.twitter.com/19yD3Yansx
— 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 (@SomosNacional1) August 29, 2024
The loss of Juan Izquierdo has left an indelible mark on the hearts of fans and players alike. Tonight in São Paulo, beyond football, the spirit of a man, a teammate, a respected opponent, was honored. A lesson on the fragility of life, but also on the strength of the bonds that sport can create, even in the darkest moments.
Rest in peace, Juan.
