# Five footballers who died after collapsing on pitch

> Five footballers died after collapsing on pitch or suffering match injuries.
- Title: Five footballers who died after collapsing on pitch | Shortify
- Summary: Five footballers died after collapsing on pitch or suffering match injuries. jess de miguel, marc vivien foe, antonio puerta · reported by Malay Mail.
- Keywords: jess de miguel, marc vivien foe, antonio puerta, phil odonnell, cristiano junior, juan izquierdo, uefa champions league, spanish football, football injuries, football deaths, heart attack, cardiac arrest
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/sports/2026/11/04/five-footballers-who-died-after-collapsing-on-the-pitch-or-suffering-match-injuries/241945
- Published: 2026-11-04T21:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: jess de miguel, marc vivien foe, antonio puerta, phil odonnell, cristiano junior, juan izquierdo, uefa champions league, spanish football, football injuries, football deaths, heart attack, cardiac arrest
## Jess de Miguel
Tenerife striker Jess de Miguel died on November 3, 2026, after a collision with FC Andorra's goalkeeper in a Spanish second division match.

> Tenerife striker de Miguel died on November 3, 2026, as a result of injuries he suffered in a sickening collision with FC Andorra’s goalkeeper in a Spanish second-division match
## Marc-Vivien Foe
Cameroon midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe collapsed after a heart attack during a 2003 Confederations Cup semi-final against Colombia.

> Cameroon midfielder Foe collapsed after a heart attack during a Confederations Cup semi-final against Colombia in Lyon, France
## Antonio Puerta
Spain international Antonio Puerta collapsed in a 2007 La Liga match against Getafe and died three days later from multiple organ failure.

> Antonio Puerta, August 2007, collapsed while playing for Sevilla in a La Liga match against Getafe and died three days later from multiple organ failure stemming from prolonged cardiac arrest
## Phil O'Donnell
Phil O'Donnell died of heart failure during a 2007 Scottish Premier League match after collapsing just before substitution.

> Phil O’Donnell, December 2007, died of heart failure towards the end of his side’s 5-3 Scottish Premier League win over Dundee United
## Cristiano Junior
Cristiano Junior collapsed after a 2004 Federation Cup final goal in Bangalore, India, and died of cardiac arrest.

> Cristiano Junior, August 2009, collided with the opposing goalkeeper when he scored a goal for his club Dempo 12 minutes from time in the 2004 Federation Cup final in Bangalore
## Juan Izquierdo
Uruguayan defender Juan Izquierdo died of cardiac arrhythmia during a 2024 Copa Libertadores match with Sao Paulo FC.

> Juan Izquierdo, August 2024, suffered cardiac arrhythmia during his club Nacional’s Copa Libertadores last 16 match with Brazilian outfit Sao Paulo FC
## Football deaths impact
These deaths prompted improvements in heart testing, treatment, and medical response during matches.

> His death prompted improvements in both the testing of footballers for heart problems and the treatment they can receive during matches
## Key takeaway

Five footballers died after collapsing on pitch or suffering match injuries.