Juan Izquierdo’s new medical report is damning

The Uruguayan footballer Juan Izquierdowho was admitted to a Brazilian hospital after collapsing on the Sao Paulo field Thursday during a Copa Libertadores match, has a “critical neurological condition,” according to a medical bulletin on Monday. The Nacional full-back remains admitted to an intensive care unit at the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo and is “dependent on mechanical ventilation,” said a report signed by three doctors from the prestigious private clinic.

The 27-year-old player collapsed in the final minutes of the match between Nacional and São Paulo in the round of 16 of the Libertadores, due to cardiac arrhythmia. He was removed from the Morumbis stadium in an ambulance and immediately taken to hospital, where he was admitted in “cardiac arrest, of undetermined onset,” and had to be resuscitated with a defibrillator.

The previous day, Albert Einstein’s medical team indicated that Izquierdo showed “development of brain damage and increased intracranial pressure”, although he is still under “intensive neurological care.” Monday’s medical report states, however, that his neurological condition is “critical.” Izquierdo was in Sao Paulo with his wife, his 2-year-old daughter and his parents.

The Uruguayan consul in Sao Paulo, Marta Echarte, who visited the soccer player on Monday, told EFE that doctors plan to keep Izquierdo sedated until Tuesday, “waiting to see how he reacts” to his arrhythmia, ” which is complicated by the involvement of the brain” .

Izquierdo’s health shocked Uruguayan football, which even suspended its activities last weekend. In Brazil, Sao Paulo players walked out on the Morumbis pitch on Sunday wearing t-shirts with a message of support for Izquierdo. ‘Strong, Left’ read the blue t-shirts worn by São Paulo team players before playing their Brazilian League match against Vitória.