Soccer has a unique ability to bring people together across cultures, borders, and languages. It’s a beautiful game that fills stadiums with passionate fans and creates unforgettable moments.
However, along with the triumphs and joys, there have been moments of profound sorrow when the beautiful game has taken players from us too soon.
Since that somber day on January 13, 1889, when a soccer player’s life was lost during a match, the soccer community has had to grapple with the heart-wrenching reality of losing its own.
The list of players who have passed away while playing the game they loved is extensive, with incidents reported from 67 countries.
These weren’t just numbers; they were full of lives, with an average age of just 34, leaving behind families, friends, and legions of fans.
- 27 Soccer Players Who Died On The Pitch
- Cheick Tioté
- Samuel Okwaraji
- Patrick Claude Ekeng Ekeng
- Marc-Vivien Foé
- Victor Omogbehin
- David Faramola Oniya
- Piermario Morosini
- Yair Clavijo
- Phil O’Donnell
- Cristian Gomez
- Emmanuel Ogoli
- Nduka Anyanwu
- Naoki Matsuda
- Serhiy Perkhun
- Orobosan Adun
- Endurance Idahor
- Akli Fairuz
- Moise Brou Apanga
- Ben Idrissa Derme
- Albert Ebossé Bodjongo
- Faty Papy
- Chinonso Ihelwere Henry
- Antonio Puerta
- Miklós Fehér
- Chineme Martins
- Luyanda Ntshangase
- Peter Biaksangzuala
- Why Are Footballers At The Risk of Cardiac Arrest?
- The Causes Of Soccer Player’s Death
- Indications of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SUD)
- Importance of Immediate Medical Response
- Honoring Their Legacy
27 Soccer Players Who Died On The Pitch
Cheick Tioté
Born in Ivory Coast, Cheick Ismael Tioté was a well-known football player, famous for his role as a defensive midfielder. He began his football journey at F.C. Bibo in his hometown of Yamoussoukro. In 2005, he started his professional career with Anderlecht in Belgium.
Sadly, on June 5th, 2017, while practicing with his new team in Beijing, China, Cheick Tiote passed away unexpectedly. It is believed that he had a heart attack during his training session.
Samuel Okwaraji
On August 12, 1989, during a World Cup qualification match against Angola at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos State, Okwaraji sadly lost his life.
He collapsed in the 77th minute of the game due to congestive heart failure. It’s worth noting that prior to this tragic incident, he had achieved a milestone by earning a Master of Laws degree from the University of Rome.
Patrick Claude Ekeng Ekeng
He was a valued member of the Cameroonian national team, often playing as a defensive midfielder.
His time in various countries like Switzerland, Spain, and Romania was relatively brief. The sad news is that he passed away in Romania on May 6, 2016.
The heartbreaking incident took place during a match for Dinamo București, where he collapsed and couldn’t be revived.
Marc-Vivien Foé
Cameroonian midfielder Marc-Vivien Foé tragically passed away on the field during a FIFA Confederations Cup semi-final match between Cameroon and Colombia on June 26, 2003.
He collapsed without any players nearby due to a heart-related issue.
Victor Omogbehin
It was August 18, 2010, when a 22-year-old Nigerian player collapsed while playing in a soccer match.
The match was between Ilford F.C. and Lowestoft Town F.C., and it was a part of the Isthmian Football League. This game was held at Ilford F.C.’s home turf.
David Faramola Oniya
The Nigerian footballer was part of the T-Team club, which participated in the Malaysia Premier League.
Tragically, on June 13, 2015, he lost his life while playing in Malaysia. The incident occurred during a friendly match between his club and Kelantan when he fell on the field.
Piermario Morosini
On April 14, 2012, while attending a match between Livorno and Pescara, a heartbreaking event took place.
Piermario Morosini collapsed and passed away due to a heart attack. Despite urgent medical attention, his life could not be saved.
Yair Clavijo
Yair Clavijo, an 18-year-old Peruvian defender, met a tragic end during a reserve match between Sporting Cristal and Real Garcilaso on June 20, 2013.
Following his passing, an autopsy revealed that the cause of his death was a cerebral edema, accompanied by brain herniation. These conditions were attributed to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Phil O’Donnell
Phil O’Donnell, a midfielder aged 35, suffered a fatal heart failure while playing a game against Dundee United in December 2007.
Throughout his impressive career, he was part of various teams, notably Scotland, Celtic, and Sheffield Wednesday. Tragically, he collapsed on the field just as he was about to be substituted.
Cristian Gomez
Tragedy struck on May 24, 2015, during a match between Atletico Parana and Boca Unidos.
The 27-year-old football player collapsed and passed away suddenly in the midst of the game.
Emmanuel Ogoli
A native of Nigeria, he played as a left-back for a professional football team in the country.
He had previous stints with Bayelsa United and Ocean Boys. However, a heartbreaking turn of events occurred when he collapsed during a match for Ocean Boys on December 12, 2010. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he passed away a few hours later.
Nduka Anyanwu
A Nigerian footballer who can play as a midfielder and defender, was associated with several European clubs, including Eintracht Frankfurt and SV Geinsheim.
Regrettably, in September 2010, during a league match in Germany, while playing for SV Geinsheim, Nduka Anyanwu collapsed on the field. Despite all attempts, he could not be revived.
Naoki Matsuda
In August 2011, Matsuda tragically collapsed during a training session after completing a 15-minute warmup run.
The cause was a cardiac arrest, and doctors characterized his condition as “extremely severe.” Despite efforts, he passed away two days later.
Serhiy Perkhun
On August 29, 2001, tragedy struck Serhiy Perkhun, the goalkeeper for CSKA Moscow, when he collided with an opponent during a game.
This collision resulted in a severe injury that left him in a coma for the following ten days. Unfortunately, despite the efforts, he couldn’t recover and passed away.
Orobosan Adun
The late Nigerian goalkeeper Orobosan Adun tragically lost his life due to internal bleeding sustained during an attack by opposing team supporters.
The incident occurred prior to a game against Enugu Rangers in 2009.
Endurance Idahor
Endurance Idahor, a Nigerian footballer, played for the Al-Merreikh team in Sudan.
Regrettably, on March 6th, 2010, during a league match, Idahor collapsed and passed away while being transported to the hospital for medical assistance.
Akli Fairuz
In 2014, Akli Fairuz tragically lost his life following a collision with an opposing goalkeeper during a match in the Indonesian Premier League.
After the collision, Fairuz was substituted and taken to the hospital. However, despite medical attention, he succumbed to internal bleeding the following day.
Moise Brou Apanga
The football defender was a player for FC 105 Libreville in Gabon. Sadly, on April 26, 2017, he lost his life due to a heart attack while he was in a training session with his club
ACL Injuries In Soccer: Factors, Impact & Preventive Measures
Ben Idrissa Derme
He proudly represented Burkina Faso as a center-back in international football.
However, his life took a tragic turn on September 11, 2016. While participating in the 2016–17 Coupe de France tournament, he suffered a heart attack. Despite efforts, he couldn’t overcome this ordeal and passed away the following day.
Albert Ebossé Bodjongo
On August 23, 2014, a tragic incident occurred involving Albert Ebossé Bodjongo. While the teams were leaving the field after a game between two Algerian clubs, he was hit on the head by a thrown object from an unknown person.
The match had concluded with a 2-1 defeat for his team, and Bodjongo had managed to score his team’s only goal.
Unfortunately, he passed away a few hours later in the hospital due to a traumatic brain injury. He was only 24 years old at the time of his tragic death.
Faty Papy
In April 2019, the Burundian midfielder Faty Papy, who had a known heart condition, suffered a fatal collapse and passed away while playing a match for Malanti Chiefs in Eswatini.
Chinonso Ihelwere Henry
The 21-year-old Nigerian player collapsed during the 86th minute of a friendly match in Romania. Surprisingly, he had been substituted in just 10 minutes earlier.
Despite doctors’ efforts to revive him for 30 minutes, tragically, he was pronounced dead.
Interestingly, a week prior to his untimely passing, he had undergone health tests that didn’t show any signs of issues. However, the cause of his death was ultimately attributed to heart failure
Antonio Puerta
In August 2007, Puerta collapsed on the field during a La Liga match due to a cardiac arrest.
Despite initial recovery, he succumbed to arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, a hereditary heart ailment, later that month. His passing prompted awareness of heart health in the sporting world and led to changes in stadium facilities.
Miklós Fehér
On January 25, 2004, after he received a yellow card, and suddenly appeared to be in pain. He then collapsed backward onto the ground. Players from both teams rushed to help, and the medical team arrived promptly to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
He was taken to the hospital. Tragically, before midnight, his death was confirmed. The cause was identified as cardiac arrhythmia stemming from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Chineme Martins
Chineme Martins, a Nigerian footballer known for his midfield skills, was a part of Nasarawa United.
In a league match against Katsina United in March 2020, Martins collapsed while on the pitch. He was swiftly taken to the hospital, but sadly, he couldn’t be saved and was pronounced dead.
Luyanda Ntshangase
He was a talented South African footballer associated with Maritzburg United in the South African Premier Division.
In a tragic incident during a friendly match in March 2018, he was struck by lightning, resulting in severe chest burns.
Despite immediate hospitalization and being placed in an induced coma, he unfortunately couldn’t recover from his injuries. Sadly, he passed away a day later.
Peter Biaksangzuala
On October 19, 2014, in a match against Chanmari West FC, Biaksangzuala achieved an equalizing goal and chose to celebrate with a somersault. Tragically, he landed in an unfortunate manner, causing spinal cord damage. This devastating injury ultimately led to his passing on October 23, 2014, when he was just 23 years old.
Why Are Footballers At The Risk of Cardiac Arrest?
| Risk Factor | Higher Risk | Lower Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Sex | 1 in 37,790 for males | 1 in 121,593 for females |
| Race | 1 in 21,491 Black soccer players | 1 in 56,254 Hispanic soccer players
1 in 68,354 white soccer players |
| Sport | Men’s soccer: 1 in 23,689 | — |
Cardiac arrest in soccer players is quite common due to their physically intensive lifestyle and the stress of playing professionally. Cardiac arrest happens when the heart stops, interrupting blood flow throughout the body.
Several factors, including overexertion during physical activity and genetic predisposition, can cause this.
Intensive Pressure
Soccer players often put themselves under intense pressure to perform well, leading to increased adrenaline and heart rates during games or training sessions.
The resulting strain on the cardiovascular system can make it more difficult for oxygenated blood to reach all body parts, causing cardiac arrest in some cases.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Players are more prone than most people to suffer from underlying cardiovascular conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). HCM is an enlargement of one part of the heart muscle that makes it harder for blood to flow efficiently through.
Coronary Artery Disease
Other possible causes include coronary artery disease (CAD) – where fatty deposits build up inside arteries supplying blood to the heart.
Arrhythmias – electrical disturbances in the normal heartbeat rhythm originating within the ventricles or upper chambers of our hearts is another reason.
Immense Energy Consumption
Since football requires immense energy output, there will always be some degree of risk involved in cardiac health.
However, following proper guidelines can greatly reduce these risks on and off the pitch, including fewer chances for potentially fatal incidents occurring during playtime.
Arrhythmias and Heart Disease
Electrical disturbances like arrhythmias can occur when there’s an imbalance between cells responsible for controlling heart rate and rhythm; this affects blood flow throughout the body and can lead to fainting spells or cardiac arrest if left untreated.
Also, certain forms of inherited heart disease may increase the chances of developing arrhythmia later on down the line, so players with a family history of risk factors need to take precautionary measures prior to engaging in rigorous exercise activities.
Myocarditis
Soccer players are at an increased risk of developing myocarditis, a potentially fatal heart muscle inflammation. This is due to their intense training, awareness, and prevention key factors in managing this condition.
Commotio Cordis
Playing football can put players at risk of commotio cordis, a sudden cardiac arrest caused by an impact on the chest. This type of injury is more common in young male players.
The force of the impact disrupts the electrical activity in the heart and can cause death within minutes if not treated immediately with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and/or an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Wolf-Parkinson-White (WPW)
It is a syndrome that increases the risk of sudden cardiac arrest in soccer players.
It is caused by an extra electrical pathway between the heart’s upper and lower chambers, which disrupts normal heart rhythm.
Players with WPW syndrome may be more at risk for a rapid or irregular heartbeat during intense physical activity, which can lead to fainting, chest pain, and even fatal cardiac arrest if left untreated.
Early screening and treatment are essential to managing this condition in footballers so they can safely participate in sports without fear of serious complications.
Several potential causes could contribute to cardiac arrest in football players. However, following prevention and timely screening can help reduce any chance significantly.
The Causes Of Soccer Player’s Death
To truly grasp the gravity of these tragedies, it’s important to dig deep into the underlying causes.
Comprehensive data reveals that in 34% of cases, there were clear medical explanations for these sudden deaths. For players aged 35 and older, coronary artery disease emerged as the leading cause, responsible for a staggering 76% of deaths.
For younger players under 35, sudden unexplained death (SUD) was the predominant cause, accounting for 22% of the cases.
Regionally, the leading causes of sudden cardiac death (SCD) varied.
In South America, cardiomyopathy was responsible for 42% of cases, while North America saw coronary artery anomalies as the major factor at 33%.
In Europe, SUD emerged as the leading cause with 26% of occurrences. These regional variations underscore the complex interplay of genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors in determining health outcomes.
Indications of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SUD)
Sudden cardiac arrest, often mistaken for a heart attack, is identified by:
- Sudden collapse
- Lack of pulse
- Lack of breath
- Loss of consciousness
Possible Preceding Indications
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness
- Fast-beating heart
- Heart palpitations
Importance of Immediate Medical Response
Amidst the heartbreaking statistics, there is a ray of hope.
Immediate medical response to cardiac arrest in soccer players is vital due to the time-sensitive nature of the game.
Soccer’s high-intensity nature can trigger cardiac events even in seemingly healthy players.
Rapid intervention through CPR and defibrillation is critical to prevent irreversible organ damage and increase survival chances. The presence of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in stadiums, along with trained medical personnel, is essential.
Fast response not only improves survival rates but also minimizes the psychological impact on witnesses.
On-field medical teams can offer initial assessments, aiding future treatment and prevention.
High-profile incidents highlight the importance of heart health awareness. Soccer organizations bear ethical and legal responsibilities for player safety.
Immediate medical response contributes significantly to saving lives and improving outcomes in such emergencies.
Honoring Their Legacy
Each player represented more than just a name on a jersey.
They were players with dreams, families, and aspirations. Their passion for the beautiful game brought joy to countless fans, and their legacies continue to inspire future generations of soccer players.
As we continue to cherish the beautiful game, let us also remember the players who made it special.
Let us advocate for the well-being of these players, supporting initiatives that promote regular health check-ups, raise awareness about cardiac health, and ensure that stadiums are equipped with life-saving AEDs.
Soccer is a symphony of skill, teamwork, and togetherness.
Let us ensure that the echoes of tragedy are replaced by the melodies of triumph, unity, and the celebration of life.
In their memory, let us play on, not just for the love of the game but for the lives that can be touched and inspired through it.
FAQs
Has a soccer player ever died during a game?
Yes, unfortunately, there have been instances of soccer players dying during a game due to various causes, including cardiac arrest, head injuries, and other medical emergencies.
These incidents serve as a reminder of the potential risks associated with the game, even at the professional level.
Which footballer collapsed on the pitch in 2023?
Tom Lockyer– 2023
Luton’s captain, Tom Lockyer, collapsed on the field as he was moving backward to defend against a Coventry attack. After attempting to rise, Lockyer collapsed once more.
Medical personnel promptly summoned a stretcher and transported him to the hospital. Fortunately, Lockyer eventually recovered without suffering any health complications.
Which soccer player had a seizure on the field?
On October 20, 2005, in a match between Al-Raed and Hajer, Abdulrahman Al-Shoaibi collapsed after a kick to the neck and had a dramatic seizure on camera.
Which goalkeeper died after saving a penalty?
Arne Espeel
The Belgian goalkeeper died aged 25 after collapsing during a football game just moments after saving a penalty for an amateur team.
He was part of the Winkel Sport B side, who are playing in the second provincial division of West Brabant in Belgium, against Westrozbeke.
