Colombian midfielder Andres Balanta died suddenly on November 29, after collapsing during a training session of Atletico Tucuman, the Argentina first division club officials announced.
According to local reports, Balanta was rushed to the hospital after collapsing during the team’s first practice after a short vacation.
Medical personnel performed CPR on the young athlete for more than 40 minutes before the ambulance arrived, but they were unable to save him.
It is still unclear the cause of death, but reports said he died of a suspected heart attack.
Balanta joined Atletico in July of 2021 from Deportivo Cali, the Colombian club where he began his career in 2019.
He played for the Colombia national team in the 2019 Under-20 World Cup in Indonesia.
A statement from Atletico Tucuman announcing Balanta’s passing read: “Atlético Tucumán regrets to confirm the death of Colombian soccer player Andrés Balanta. We embrace and accompany with deep respect your family and friends at this time.”
The Colombian FA added: “The Colombian Football Federation regrets the death of Andres Balanta, player of the Colombia national team in its different divisions. We send our condolences to his family, friends and relatives. RIP”
The Sun reported:
Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero, whose career was cut short last year as a result of a heart condition, was taken back by the news.
On a Twitch live stream, Aguero revealed he was warned what happened to Balanta could have happened to him if he kept on training and playing.
He said: “Balanta died, they say. In training? Now?
“That’s s***, I clearly remember that the doctor told me that that can happen, and that’s why they (the doctors) don’t allow me to play because what I had…
