Nacional defender Juan Izquierdo, 27, ‘in stable condition’ in hospital after worryingly collapsing on the pitch during Copa Libertadores tie against Sao Paulo
- The defender is in a ‘stable condition’ and is ‘under observation’ in hospital
- The 27-year-old suffered a ‘cardiac arrhythmia’ and collapsed in the 84th minute
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Nacional’s 27-year-old defender Juan Izquierdo collapsed on the field during the Copa Libertadores round of 16 against Sao Paulo in Brazil on Thursday.
The defender was quickly treated by doctors on the pitch and taken to hospital after suffering from a ‘cardiac arrhythmia’ – an abnormality of the heart.
The 27-year-old Uruguayan player fell to the ground in the 84th minute, prompting players from both teams to request medical attention.
Nacional posted an update on his condition online, saying Izquierdo is “stable” and “still under observation” in the intensive care unit of Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
‘Juan Izquierdo suffered an irregular heartbeat during the match against Sao Paulo,’ Nacional posted on X (formerly Twitter).
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‘He is being treated in the Intensive Care Unit of the Albert Einstein Hospital. He is currently in stable condition and remains under observation.
The statement read: “Stay strong, Juan!”
Nacional were trailing 2-0 in the match after Damian Bobadilla scored in the first half. Jonathan Calleri secured the team’s second place in the 47th minute, after which Sao Paulo secured a place in the quarter-finals of the tournament against Botafogo.
In the 83rd minute, Izquierdo began to stumble before falling to the ground. Medical teams quickly arrived to treat the footballer, before an ambulance entered the field.
After a break, the match resumed with Emiliano Velazquez coming on as a substitute.
More to come…