Sandra Viana revealed that doctors identified a viral infection in her son Juan Izquierdo’s heart, which led to his tragic death.
Uruguayan footballer Juan Izquierdo passed away after collapsing on the pitch during a Copa Libertadores match last month. According to Pulse Sports, he was taken to the hospital immediately after the incident.
Izquierdo’s mother, Sandra Viana, explained that doctors had diagnosed a viral infection in his heart. The combination of this infection and the physical exertion during the match triggered a cardiac arrhythmia, ultimately leading to his death.
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Viana expressed her gratitude to both Nacional and Sao Paulo for their support during this difficult time. She also spoke about the heartbreaking task of informing Izquierdo’s two-year-old daughter about her father’s passing.
“We wanted to understand what caused the arrhythmia because Juan had never experienced heart problems,” she told Sport890. “The doctors studied the case and informed us that he had contracted a virus. He only complained of swollen lymph nodes. The doctors said the virus had lodged in his heart, and the intensity of the match led to the arrhythmia.”
Izquierdo’s death has deeply affected the football community, with players like Neymar, Rodrygo, and Roberto Firmino among those paying tribute to him.
Juan Izquierdo began his professional career in 2018, playing for several Uruguayan clubs before joining Nacional in 2022. He was a key player in Nacional’s Uruguayan league title victory in 2023.