Liverpool star Darwin Nunez pays tribute to the tragic death of a Uruguayan footballer

Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has paid tribute to Juan Izquierdo, who died aged 27

Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has expressed his condolences on the death of 27-year-old Juan Izquierdo. The Uruguayan footballer collapsed on the pitch during Club Nacional's Copa Libertadores round of 16 second leg against Sao Paulo last week.

The defender suffered from cardiac arrhythmia and tragically lost his life six days later. Club Nacional confirmed the news after his death “with deep sadness”. In a statement released by the hospital, it was announced that Izquierdo had suffered “a cardiac arrest related to his cardiac arrhythmia”.

Former Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates was replaced by the 27-year-old at half-time, but the defender lost consciousness in the closing stages. He had been on a ventilator since Sunday and had been receiving neurological treatment since Monday.

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As a result, matches in Uruguay's top two leagues were postponed and Sao Paulo FC players wore shirts in support of the footballer during their victory over Vitoria on Sunday.

Nunez was one of the footballers who paid their last respects to him. His Uruguayan teammate and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur sent a message. He wrote on Instagram: “May you rest in peace.”

“It is with deepest sadness and shock in our hearts that Club Nacional announces the death of our beloved player Juan Izquierdo,” Nacional wrote on social media. “We extend our most sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones. All of Nacional mourns his irretrievable loss.”

Izquierdo signed for Nacional in 2022 and moved to local club Liverpool Futbol Club, helping them to the 2023 Uruguayan championship title – the club's first in over a century – before returning to the Estadio Gran Parque Central.