The tragic death of Uruguayan footballer Juan Izquierdo has been linked to a viral infection that affected his heart. Izquierdo collapsed on the pitch during a Copa Libertadores match last month and was rushed to the hospital.
Sandra Viana, Izquierdo’s mother, revealed that doctors diagnosed a viral infection in his heart. This, combined with the physical strain of the match, led to a cardiac arrhythmia which ultimately caused his death. Viana expressed her appreciation to Nacional and Sao Paulo for their support and shared the challenging experience of informing Izquierdo’s two-year-old daughter about her father’s passing.
Viana explained, “We wanted to understand the cause of the arrhythmia because Juan had never experienced heart problems before. The doctors found that the virus had settled in his heart, and the demands of the match contributed to the arrhythmia.”
Izquierdo’s sudden death has shocked the football community, with tributes pouring in from players and teams, including Neymar, Rodrygo, and Roberto Firmino.
Izquierdo, who began his professional career in 2018, played for various Uruguayan clubs before joining Nacional in 2022. He was a crucial player for Nacional, helping them win the Uruguayan league title in 2023.