Uruguayan footballer Juan Izquierdo dies after collapsing on pitch

Tributes have poured in after a 27-year-old footballer collapsed on the pitch during a match in Brazil and later passed away.

Uruguayan footballer Juan Izquierdo has died at the age of 27 after collapsing on the pitch during a Copa Libertadores match.

Tributes have poured in for the ace, with former Manchester United star Diego Forlan leading the way, as The Sun reports.

Watch selected NRL, AFL, SSN games plus every F1 qualifying session and race live in 4K on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial today.

The defender was playing for Nacional in their last 16 tie against Sao Paulo when tragedy struck last week.

Izquierdo dropped to the ground in the second leg at the Morumbi Stadium in Brazil on August 23 (AEST).

The star suffered “cardiorespiratory arrest associated with his cardiac arrhythmia” in the 84th minute of the match, which Sao Paulo won 2-0.

He was rushed to hospital where he was put on a ventilator and neurological critical care.

Players react as Juan Izquierdo collapses in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images)

Izquierdo receiving medical attention. (Photo by Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images)

Uruguay’s domestic leagues postponed their games at the weekend, while Sao Paulo players paid tribute to Izquierdo in their Brazilian league win over Vitoria on Sunday.

However, Nacional have now confirmed that Izquierdo sadly passed away on August 27 local time.

A statement read: “It is with the deepest sorrow and shock in our hearts that the Club Nacional announces the death of our beloved player Juan Izquierdo.

“We express our most sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones.

“All of Nacional is in mourning for his irreparable loss.

“RIP Juan, you will be with us forever.”

South American football chief Alejandro Dominguez said: “South American football is in mourning.”

Brazilian club Sao Paulo called it a “sad day for football.”

Izquierdo was just 27 years old when he sadly died. (Photo by NORBERTO DUARTE / AFP)

Sao Paulo players wear a jersey supporting Izquierdo. (Photo by Miguel Schincariol/Getty Images)

Izquierdo posing for a team photo before the match between 's Nacional and Bolivia's Always Ready back on March 14, 2024. (Photo by EITAN ABRAMOVICH / AFP)

Former United striker and Uruguay icon Forlan paid tribute, saying: “How sad. My deepest condolences to his family.”

A fan declared: “Football is in mourning. RIP, lots of strength to all his family.”

Brazilian club Fluminense, who recently signed Thiago Silva from Chelsea, said: “Our condolences to everyone at Nacional.”

Another fan added: “Strength to his family and all the fans of Nacional, may he rest in peace.”

Izquierdo spent almost all of his club career in Uruguay, playing for sides including Penarol, Montevideo Warrios and Liverpool FC.

He enjoyed a brief spell with Mexican side Atletico san Luis in 2021 before returning to his homeland.

And the ace was in his second spell with Nacional following a brief stint with the giants in 2022.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Uruguayan footballer Juan Izquierdo dies after collapsing on pitch