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Four days after experiencing a heart attack during a match in the Copa Libertadores in Brazil, a new medical report has been released concerning the health of the Uruguayan player Juan Izquierdo from Nacional. As reported on Monday, the footballer is in “critical condition”.
“Patient Juan Manuel Izquierdo has been hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit since August 22, 2024, at 8:55 p.m. He is dependent on mechanical ventilation and has a critical neurological condition,” stated the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in São Paulo, where he is receiving treatment.
Izquierdo, aged 27, collapsed on Thursday during the match between Nacional and São Paulo for a spot in the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores, and was swiftly transported by ambulance from the Morumbi stadium to the medical facility.
The defender was admitted “in cardiac arrest of undetermined onset, secondary to arrhythmia”, and has remained sedated and on artificial respiration since then, as reported by the medical team. On Sunday, further tests revealed “a progression of brain involvement and an increase in intracranial pressure.”
However, 24 hours later, Nacional president Alejandro Balbi reported that Izquierdo had experienced “a setback in his health,” which “worsened his condition.” “Juan’s situation is very serious and delicate,” Balbi stated from São Paulo during a conversation with the radio station Carve Sports. “The passage of time is crucial,” he stressed.
It is worth mentioning that Balbi had said on Friday that, during the annual electrocardiogram checks for the Nacional club, Izquierdo “had never experienced any cardiac episode or any other issues.”
On Monday, the director of the National Secretariat of Sports, Sebastian Bauza, reported that Izquierdo was diagnosed with “a small arrhythmia” ten years ago during routine assessments of youth teams.
The serious health condition of the Nacional defender led to the suspension of the Uruguayan championship following the cancellation of weekend matches. “This reflects the sentiments of all football groups concerning the delicate condition of player Juan Izquierdo,” stated the Executive Board of the First Division Professional League, which decided to “Reschedule stages two and three of the Clausura Tournament,” with new dates to be announced shortly, as reported by the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) in a statement.
Thursday’s Libertadores match concluded shortly after Izquierdo was taken to the hospital. However, São Paulo’s 2-0 victory and Nacional’s elimination from the continental tournament were overshadowed by the incident, which sparked significant solidarity beyond the football community.
Former captain of the Uruguayan national team Diego Lugano, who played for both Nacional and São Paulo, where he is regarded as an idol, visited the hospital on Monday to support Izquierdo, wishing him “strength” for his recovery. Prominent figures like Luis Suarez have also expressed their support.
“This is no longer just an issue for Uruguay or South America, but a global concern,” said Balbi. “The outpouring of support we have received is immeasurable,” he commented.
The president of Nacional mentioned that the club’s squad, currently in Montevideo, is deeply affected by the situation. The players have been unable to train, and a Zoom session was held on Monday with the team’s psychologist, who is in São Paulo to support Izquierdo’s family. “Neither physically nor psychologically are we in a position to compete soon,” Balbi remarked.
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Juan Izquierdo’s Medical Emergency: A Heartfelt Update
Four days after suffering a heart attack during a match in the Libertadores Cup in Brazil, a new medical report has been released regarding the health of the National player from Uruguay Juan Izquierdo. As of Monday, the footballer is in critical condition.
Current Condition of Juan Izquierdo
According to a statement from Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in São Paulo, where he is hospitalized, “Patient Juan Manuel Izquierdo has been in the Intensive Care Unit since August 22, 2024, at 8:55 p.m., dependent on mechanical ventilation, with a critical neurological condition.”
The Incident: What Happened?
The 27-year-old defender collapsed during the match between Nacional and São Paulo as part of the Libertadores Cup quarter-finals. He was urgently transferred by ambulance from Morumbi Stadium to the hospital.
Upon admission, he was reported to be “in cardiac arrest of undetermined onset, secondary to an arrhythmia” and has remained sedated and on artificial respiration since then. Following additional testing, doctors noted “a progression of brain involvement and an increase in intracranial pressure.”
Setbacks in Health and Hospital Updates
On Sunday, Alejandro Balbi, president of Nacional, informed that Izquierdo experienced “a setback in his health,” which “worsened his condition.” He emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “The passing of time is essential.”
It’s also noteworthy that Balbi previously mentioned that Izquierdo had never experienced any cardiac episodes during the annual control electrocardiograms performed by Nacional club. However, Sebastian Bauza, director of the National Secretariat of Sports, revealed that ten years ago, Izquierdo was diagnosed with “a small arrhythmia” during routine studies.
Impact on Football Community
The alarming health condition of the Nacional defender led to the suspension of the Uruguayan championship, resulting in the cancellation of weekend matches. The Executive Board of the First Division Professional League expressed solidarity, stating that they would “Reschedule stages two and three of the Clausura Tournament,” with new dates to be announced shortly.
Football Match Outcome Overshadowed
The Libertadores match concluded shortly after Izquierdo’s medical emergency, culminating in a Sao Paulo victory of 2-0 and National’s elimination from the continental tournament, but the incident cast a shadow over the competitive results.
Support From Fellow Players and Community
Support for Izquierdo has poured in from across the football community, including Diego Lugano, former captain of the Uruguayan national team, who visited the hospital to offer support and convey best wishes for recovery. Other stars, including Luis Suarez, have publicly expressed their concern.
Balbi noted, “This is no longer a matter for Uruguay or South America, but rather for the whole world,” emphasizing the love and support received from various sectors.
Team’s Emotional Response and Psychological Support
The Nacional team, now back in Montevideo, is deeply affected by Izquierdo’s condition. Training has ceased as the players cope with the situation. To support Izquierdo’s family, the team’s psychologist is currently in São Paulo, and a Zoom session was held for the players. Balbi remarked, “Neither physically nor psychologically are we thinking about being able to compete soon.”
The Broader Implications
This unfortunate event raises significant questions related to player health and emergency medical response in sports. The tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of health screenings and immediate medical assistance during matches. Football organizations globally are urged to reassess their protocols to prevent similar occurrences.
Benefits of Early Detection and Monitoring
- Regular Health Screenings: Early detection of potential arrhythmias or heart issues can save lives.
- Emergency Protocols: Having well-defined procedures and immediate medical team presence during matches is critical.
- Player Awareness: Educating players about the symptoms of heart issues can lead to quicker action when necessary.
Conclusion
Juan Izquierdo’s ongoing health crisis underscores the vulnerability of athletes and the need for comprehensive health measures in sports. As updates continue to emerge, the football community remains united in support of the player and his family as they navigate this challenging time.
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