Liverpool star Darwin Nunez shares tribute after tragic death of Uruguayan footballer

Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has offered his condolences after 27-year-old Juan Izquierdo passed away. 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 an irregular heartbeat and tragically lost his life six days later. Club Nacional confirmed the news 'with the deepest sorrow' following his passing, in a statement released by the hospital, it was revealed that Izquierdo had "cardiorespiratory arrest associated with his cardiac arrhythmia".

Former Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates was replaced by the 27-year-old at half-time but the defender fell unconscious in the latter stages. He had been on a ventilator since Sunday and under neurological care since Monday.

As a result, matches in Uruguay's top first two divisions were postponed and Sao Paulo players wore shirts in support of the footballer in Sunday's win over Vitoria.

Nunez was among the footballers to pay his respects, with Uruguay teammate and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur sending a message. He wrote on Instagram: "May you rest in peace."

"It is with the deepest sorrow and shock in our hearts that the Club Nacional announces the death of our beloved player Juan Izquierdo," Nacional wrote on social media. "We express our most sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones. All of Nacional is in mourning for his irreparable loss."

Izquierdo signed for Nacional in 2022 and transferred to local club Liverpool Futbol Club, helping them to the Uruguayan league title - the club's first in more than a century in 2023, before returning to the Estadio Gran Parque Central.