Neymar leads stars to pay tribute to Izquierdo after the Uruguayan died

Neymar has led the tributes to Juan Izquierdo after the Uruguayan footballer died at the age of 27.

The Nacional defender collapsed on the pitch during a Copa Libertadores round of 16 tie against Sao Paulo in Brazil last Thursday.

He was quickly attended by medics on the pitch and was taken to hospital after suffering a 'cardiac arrhythmia' - an anomaly of the heart's rhythm.

Nacional posted a statement on social media confirming Izquierdo's death and that it is felt 'in deep pain and impact in our hearts' and 'all Nacional is in grief for his irreplaceable loss.'

In a message on Instagram, Neymar posted a black and white photo of the Izquierdo alongside the message: 'Lot of strengths to the family and friends.'

Real Madrid star Rodrygo has also posted: 'A very sad moment in football.

'I wish Juan Izquierdo's family, friends and team-mates much strength. May God bless them all... my deepest condolences.'

Another Brazil star, Liverpool's former striker Roberto Firmino, wrote on Instagram: 'May the holy spirit of God comfort and console the entire family.'

Izquierdo was taken to Hospital Albert Einstein after he collapsed during the match at Sao Paulo's Morumbi Stadium.

The hospital said in a statement late Tuesday that Izquierdo had 'cardiorespiratory arrest associated with his cardiac arrhythmia.'

In a statement Monday, doctors at the hospital had said Izquierdo was experiencing increased intracranial pressure. He had been on a ventilator since Sunday and under neurological critical care since Monday.

Izquierdo's professional career began in 2018 at local club Cerro. He joined Peñarol the following year, but didn't get much playing time. The defender then moved to Montevideo Wanderers.

His athletic form and sharp tackles caught the attention of Mexico's San Luís in 2021, but he quickly returned to the Montevideo Wanderers.

Izquierdo was signed by Nacional in 2022, played one match and then was transferred to the local Liverpool club.

The defender was one of Liverpool's best players in the campaign that led the team to an Uruguayan league title in 2023, the club's first in more than a century.

Izquierdo returned to Nacional this year and was vying for a position in the starting lineup with veteran Sebastián Coates, who played for Uruguay's national team. He played 23 matches this year and scored one goal.

He was married and had two children - the youngest, a boy, was born earlier in August.