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

Club Nacional confirmed on social media that their defender suffered an irregular heartbeat during their match against Sao Paulo at Estadio do Morumbi on Thursday, August 22. He had been being treated in an intensive care unit in a Sao Paulo hospital since his collapse.

“It is with deepest pain and shock in our hearts that Club Nacional de Football announces the passing of our beloved player Juan Izquierdo,” Club Nacional wrote on social media.

“We express our sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones. All of Nacional is mourning his irreparable loss.

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

Izquierdo was introduced as a half-time substitute against Sao Paulo in the second leg of Nacional’s last-16 tie before he collapsed in the latter stages. Medical staff attended to him on the pitch and he left the stadium in an ambulance.

He was taken to Albert Einstein Hospital and was treated in the ICU, where he was under neurological care. Nacional provided regular updates on his condition.

All of last weekend’s Uruguayan Premier Division matches were postponed following Izquierdo’s collapse.

Uruguay men’s national team captain Luis Suarez wrote on social media: “Pain, sadness, it is hard to explain. May he rest in peace. I wish a lot of strength for his family and friends.”

Izquierdo began his professional career with Uruguayan side Cerro in his home city of Montevideo.

He went on to have spells at Penarol, Montevideo Wanderers, Atletico San Luis and Montevideo Wanderers before joining Nacional in 2022.

Izquierdo moved to fellow Uruguayan top-flight side Liverpool in 2023, where he won the 2023 Uruguayan Premier Division, before rejoining Nacional in January 2024.

“South American football is in mourning,” CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez wrote on social media. “My condolences to Club Nacional de Uruguay and all his loved ones.”

Paying tribute to their player, Nacional wrote: “Juan Manuel was a sportsman committed to the club and loved by all his team-mates and members of the National Football Club. Dear Juan, you will always be in our memory.”