Juan Izquierdo, a prominent Uruguayan footballer, has passed away at the age of 27, just days after collapsing during a Copa Libertadores match in Brazil.

His club, Nacional, announced the heartbreaking news, expressing deep sorrow and describing his death as an “irreplaceable loss.”

The incident occurred last Thursday at Sao Paulo’s Morumbi Stadium, where Izquierdo collapsed during the game and was rushed to Hospital Albert Einstein. Initially reported to be in a stable condition, his health took a turn for the worse. The hospital later confirmed that Izquierdo suffered a “cardiorespiratory arrest associated with his cardiac arrhythmia.”

On Monday, doctors revealed that Izquierdo was experiencing increased intracranial pressure and had been on a ventilator since Sunday. Despite being under critical neurological care, his condition deteriorated, leading to his untimely demise.

South American football’s governing body paid tribute to Izquierdo, highlighting the shockwaves his death sent through the football community. Uruguayan football leagues postponed weekend matches in response to the concerns over Izquierdo’s health, and Sao Paulo players wore shirts in support of the defender during their match against Vitoria.

Izquierdo’s professional career began in 2018 at Cerro, followed by a move to Peñarol and then Montevideo Wanderers. In 2022, he joined Nacional, playing one match before being transferred to Liverpool, where he played a key role in winning the Uruguayan league title in 2023—the club’s first in over a century. Izquierdo had returned to Nacional earlier this year before his sudden passing.

The footballer is survived by his wife and two children. His death marks a significant loss to the football community, leaving a lasting impact on those who knew him and admired his contributions on the pitch.