Nacional thank São Paulo for tribute to Juan Izquierdo in letter | OneFootball

Nacional, from Uruguay, published this Friday a letter addressed to São Paulo in gratitude for the tribute paid by the Brazilian club to Juan Izquierdo, the defender who passed away a year ago during the match between the teams, valid for the quarterfinals of the 2024 Copa Libertadores, at MorumBIS.

Last Wednesday, the date marking the first anniversary of the player’s death, São Paulo launched a jersey in memory of Izquierdo. Blue, with black details on the collar and sleeves, the piece references the Uruguayan national team’s kit and bears the phrase “Por siempre, Juan” (“Forever, Juan”) on the back of the collar.

Between the flags of Brazil and Uruguay, the following phrase is also printed: “He wore another jersey, fell on our ground, surrounded by our people. There, he became part of our history.” All proceeds from royalties will be donated to the player’s family. The jersey is available at the SAO Store MorumBIS and will not be used in official matches.

Nacional’s Letter

In the letter addressed to São Paulo’s president, Julio Casares, Nacional praised the gesture of the Brazilian club.

“Our institution learned, with deep emotion, of your club’s decision to pay tribute to our former player Juan Izquierdo, who passed away a year ago on your field, on the occasion of the match between our institutions for the CONMEBOL Libertadores, which caused a very special commotion among the players of both teams present on the pitch, the attending public, television viewers, and, in a very particular way, the Nacional supporters,” it stated.

The Uruguayan club also highlighted the attention São Paulo gave to the athlete at the time of the incident and the solidarity shown throughout the year: “To this were added the special efforts of the São Paulo directors and players, who sought the best care for the athlete. But, beyond the unfortunate event and the pain it caused... what moves us deeply at this moment is the great solidarity shown both on that occasion and now, as a year has passed since the episode,” it continued.

Nacional also emphasized the significance of the tricolor’s gesture: “São Paulo, with its generous gesture of producing a club jersey with the name of Juan Izquierdo and donating the proceeds to the family of someone who so gallantly defended our sporting flag, moves us in a unique way,” it wrote. Finally, the Uruguayan club stressed that the greatness of a club goes beyond victories on the field, encompassing acts of solidarity.

“Institutions are great because of their sporting victories, and the laurels won by São Paulo make it a true giant of Brazilian and South American football. But if to these achievements is added a social sense that transcends sports to become a demonstration of sincere human solidarity, the greatness is heightened even more, acquiring a true transcendence of emotional content that moves us deeply,” it concluded.

In response, São Paulo published the following message: “What an incredible letter, Nacional! There will always be a star that unites us.”

Remembering the Case

Juan Izquierdo was 27 years old when he suffered a sudden illness at MorumBIS, already in the final minutes of the match against São Paulo, for the Libertadores, in August 2024. The defender was immediately taken by ambulance to the Albert Einstein Israeli Hospital, but did not survive.

On August 27, 2024, Nacional confirmed the athlete’s death due to brain death after a cardiorespiratory arrest associated with cardiac arrhythmia. The episode caused great commotion in South American football, especially among supporters of São Paulo and Nacional.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.