Shock in football: Barcelona of Ecuador confirmed the death of its young goalkeeper, Justin Cornejo

Goalkeeper Justin Cornejo, 20, had a serious accident

The world of Ecuadorian football is experiencing hours of deep shock following learning the news of the death of goalkeeper Justin Cornejo, a 20-year-old youth who played for Barcelona Sporting Club. Before confirming the death, the club had issued a statement on Tuesday morning stating that the footballer was in “critical condition” due to an accident.

Just over six hours following that first institutional message, the club once once more used its social media to write the sad announcement: “No word or phrase can take away the pain we feel at this moment. The memory that he leaves us all will be what gives us the strength to get through this. Justin, you will always be in our hearts. Rest in peace, friend. We love you very much.”

Justin Cornejo had just been promoted to the Barcelona de Guayaquil first team this season, in addition to having made three appearances on the first team’s substitutes bench between 2022 and 2023. Despite his youth, the goalkeeper already had considerable experience in the lower categories of the Ecuadorian National Team, having played for the Under 17 and Under 20 teams. In 2022, he was called up to be part of the Ecuadorian Under-20 National Team, demonstrating his talent and emerging as one of the promises of national football.

The team, led by Argentine Ariel Holan, which also includes starting goalkeeper Javier Burrai and midfielder Braian Oyola, played its last official match on June 2 in the Ecuadorian tournament. It is still unknown what will happen with the match scheduled for this Wednesday, where Barcelona should receive Bragantino of Brazil for the first leg of the round of 32 of the Copa Sudamericana, in a match that should conclude in Brazilian territory on Wednesday, July 24. The winner of this match will play once morest Corinthians in the round of 16.

Barcelona of Ecuador confirmed the death of its young goalkeeper, Justin Cornejo

At noon, the club nicknamed Ídolo del Astillero issued a text, which spoke regarding the young man’s health status: “Barcelona Sporting Club informs that our young player, Justin Cornejo, has been hospitalized since yesterday. His condition is critical, and in respect of his family’s privacy, no further details will be provided at this time. In view of this difficult situation, we have decided to suspend the club’s sporting activities until further notice. We deeply appreciate everyone’s support and understanding at this time.”

The Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) and LigaPro previously confirmed early Tuesday morning that the player had died, prompting a statement from Conmebol.

“LigaPro expresses its sincere condolences for the sensitive death of Justin Cornejo, Barcelona Sporting Club goalkeeper,” was what the official account of the competition published. “The Ecuadorian Football Federation regrets with deep sorrow the death of Justin Orlando Cornejo Mendoza. Our heartfelt condolences to his distinguished family, friends and members of the club,” the highest body added. In response to this, Conmebol also issued a message: “Conmebol regrets the death of the player Justin Cornejo, and expresses its condolences to the Barcelona SC Club and his family.” Something that was later replied by the president of the organization Alejandro Domínguez: “I deeply regret the departure of Justin Cornejo, player of Barcelona SC of Ecuador. I send my condolences to his family, teammates and Ecuadorian football.”

While the reports on the subject were contradictory, the media outlet TC Televisión stated: “Justin Cornejo, Barcelona SC goalkeeper, is still alive, according to his family.” And the Ecuagol portal detailed: “The goalkeeper is still connected to the network, however, he is believed to have suffered brain death as a result of a fall.”

Barcelona had given a report on Justin Cornejo’s situation before his death

According to reports from various local newspapers, the goalkeeper suffered a blow to the head following a fall, which caused a severe contusion that resulted in brain death and was admitted to a hospital. Local media outlet Expreso detailed the circumstances of the accident, reporting that “he suffered a serious fall in the bathroom of his home in Guayaquil.”

Videos circulated on social media showing Barcelona players arriving at the clinic where Cornejo was hospitalized, visibly affected by the loss of their teammate. While filming the athletes’ entrance with his cell phone, the man pointed out the names he was identifying.

Among the messages for the goalkeeper, Dylan Luque, Cornejo’s teammate in the Barcelona SC youth system, stood out. He wrote on his social networks: “Rest in peace, little brother. It hurts us to say goodbye but we find comfort in the wonderful moments we shared with you, you were and always will be an excellent person, friend and more than a friend, a brother. I say goodbye to you with love, waiting for the day we meet once more. Today heaven gains a star and although we will miss you here on earth, we know that you will be watching over us from above.” For his part, Allen Obando, also a teammate, expressed his pain on his Instagram account: “I still can’t take it in, rest in peace, friend.”

The post of the Ecuadorian Football Federation during the early hours of TuesdayThe statement issued by the PRO League during the early hours of the morningThe message from Conmebol following the statement from the FEF and the Pro LeagueThe message that his teammate Dylan Luque had published