Antonio Puerta RIP 1984-2007
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by Tyduffy
Sevilla and Spain midfielder Antonio Puerta died today at the age of 22. In a match against Getafe on August 25th, Puerta crouched and collapsed to the ground in the first of what would be a series of prolonged cardiac arrests. He suffered multiple organ failure and irreversible brain damage as a result. He has later been reported to have had a hereditary heart disease known as arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. He is survived by his girlfriend, pregnant with their young child.
Puerta was one of several youngsters who honed their skills in the prolific Sevilla youth program. As a left-sided midfielder and an occasional left-back, he had scored 5 goals in 53 appearances for Sevilla and earned a cap for the Spanish national team in October 2006.
Sevilla postponed their scheduled Champions League qualifier against AEK Athens, but will play against AC Milan in the European Super Cup on August 31st in tribute. The Spanish Primera Liga will observe a one minute silence before every match next weekend.
This ultimately is not a football tragedy, but a human one. Death transcends both club and country, and the pain at seeing anyone cut down, not even at the apex, but at the beginning of his or her life is one we all feel. In a footballing world where a crossbar or a botched penalty call can seem like a life or death matter, events like these make us step back and take stock of what is truly important in life.
Originally published here.
