Father-to-be Spanish footballer Antonio Puerta dies of a heart attack at 22

Sevilla FC footballer Antonio Puerta, 22, passed away yesterday, after suffering a massive heart attack three days ago. Puerta, who was due to become a father for the first time in six weeks, had an incurable hereditary heart disease which was the cause of the heart attack, combined with organ failure and brain damage.

He is survived by his girlfriend, his son due the second week of October, co-players and friends.

Source: The Telegraph

Thanks to CBB readers Karen, Lauren and Leslie.

Comments

How incredibly sad! My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

- Michelle on August 29th, 2007

That is so sad! May he rest in peace.

- Lissette on August 29th, 2007

Oh Wow, how tragic! My prayers are with his family.

- Grayson's Girl on August 29th, 2007

Poor guy! Poor family! I hate stories like this where a baby just misses meeting it’s dad.

- Xan on August 29th, 2007

That is so sad. His poor girlfriend to lose him and then give birth in a few weeks. God Bless her.

- Melissa on August 29th, 2007

Oh, how sad! My heart goes out to his family!

- Christine on August 29th, 2007

How horrible!! Poor guy. This is tragic no matter how you spin it, but, at the very least, at least he managed to leave a piece of himself on earth. When most men his age die, they die childless, but at least he started a legacy…. I know there is no “at least” in a case like this, but still… a piece of him will remain. Think Daniel and Mariane Pearl. At least Mariane was granted a beautiful son who resembles his daddy.

- Nausicaa on August 29th, 2007

How sad. His poor baby never got to meet him, and he was so young.

- gabriella on August 29th, 2007

Condolences to his family and everyone that loves him. It will be a bittersweet time for the girlfriend, but, I hope she finds comfort knowing he left a wonderful gift.
While it’s never easy losing someone, it must be even harder when you are due to give birth and you need your partner the most.Glod Bless everyone.

- Hilda on August 29th, 2007

Sh!t! Poor baby without a dad and poor woman. Much luck to both of them. May he rest in peace. How tragic.

- popi on August 29th, 2007

Antonio was just an asset to sevilla and to pass away in such tragic circumstances is just too much for a footie fan like me. He was going to be a father and he was just 22 years old. I pass my sincerest condolences to his family especially his wife and future child and to sevilla fc. it just reminds me of another football player dying, miklos feher, all such untimely deaths. rest in peace antonio

- maz on August 29th, 2007

wow – how devastating… to be expecting a child in six weeks is so sad. plus he was only 22… and to die from a massive heart attack – i wonder if this heart disease was a known problem?

- meghan on August 29th, 2007

If he had such a big heart problem, why did he choose to play sports? I mean didn’t exercise put too much strain on it?

- Sophie on August 29th, 2007

I’m from Spain and I’m absolutely sad because of this death. He was a very cheerful and funny boy and also an excelent player. He was really looking forward to take Aitor (the name that he and his partner had chosen for the baby) to the games with him.

- mar on August 29th, 2007

Answering some of your questions…

Antonio’s illness is very difficult to dettect. It lives in silence, and when it happens, it kills you. He has suffered 2 swoons several months before, while he was training.The Doctors did him many tests… They find nothing.

Last Saturday, while he was playing the 1st game of this season of Spanish League, he fell on the floor, but he could left the field by his own foot. Then, in the changing room he suffered a heart attack, but the doctors could keep him alive. In the way to hospital, he suffered at least 4 more heart attacks. He died on Tuesday.

He dedicated his last goal in the Spanish League (in May) to his future son, by sucking his thumb.

- mar on August 29th, 2007

This is such a sad story!! I read about him having a heart attack and being in the hospital (but I didn’t know who he was, I just thought that he was very young to have such a massive heart attack). Then I read about him dying but didn’t finish the story and had no idea his first child is due in 6 weeks. How tragic! My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

- Kodie on August 29th, 2007

Let’s all say a prayer that he goes right up to Heaven

- Alicia on August 29th, 2007

It was distressing to see him collapse on the field on tv. He came to and walked off and it appeared he would be all right. But sadly, he collapsed again and tragically died. So very sad for his family, especially his girlfriend and unborn child. My thoughts are with them at this very sad time.

- Kresta on August 29th, 2007

how sad, my thoughts and prayers are with his girlfriend,baby and family and friends. God bless.

- Isbella Menard on August 29th, 2007

The age of my only son. Just too damn young. His girlfriend must be in shock. What should be the most glorious time in her life has now turned tragically bittersweet. God bless her and her unborn baby. God bless each family member and friend suffering what must be unspeakable grief. Since this is a hereditary disease, I’m sure that the baby’s doctors will be sure to run every possible test, and continue to look for any potential signs. Since it was reported that it was uncurable, is sounds like transplant is the only option. Sending out prayer’s that this new baby will have a healty heart. God be with them all. JUST TOO DAMN YOUNG!

- Campbell on August 29th, 2007

This is so sad.

Reminds me not to take my family for granted because no one can predict when their loved ones may leave the earth.

Condolences to the family and friends.

- Becky's Daughter on August 29th, 2007

rest in peace

- Lola on August 29th, 2007

May he rest in peace and may his partner look down at their new baby and realize the gift he left for her.

- Gabbie13 on August 29th, 2007

That’s just horrible news. I just can’t imagine… My prayers are with his family, girlfriend, and his son-to-be.

- FC on August 29th, 2007

Are both his parents deceased? Any siblings? I found it strange that his survivors only included his unborn son, girlfriend, colleagues, and friends.

- Leigh on August 29th, 2007