Luis “Matador” Tejada, the leading goal scorer in the history of Panama’s national soccer team, has died suddenly at the age of 41, as announced by the Panamanian Football Federation (FEPAFUT).
According to a report from The Daily Caller, Tejada collapsed on the field while participating in a veterans’ game in Panama City. Emergency services rushed him to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The nation’s football team honored their iconic striker, who played a crucial role in Panama’s qualification for its first World Cup appearance in 2018.
“Number 18 in the #PanamáMayor team always was and will always be synonymous with our eternal scorer Luis “Matador” Tejada. Fly high legend , you will always be in our hearts,” FEPAFUT posted on X.
¡LEYENDA ⚽️!
— FEPAFUT (@fepafut) January 28, 2024
El número 1️⃣8️⃣ en la selección #PanamáMayor 🇵🇦 siempre fue y siempre será sinónimo de nuestro eterno goleador Luis “Matador” Tejada.
Vuela alto 🕊️ leyenda 🥲, siempre estarás en nuestros corazones ♥️.
😢🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/CJ02bFetOm
NOTA LUCTUOSA 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/T34vApITJG
— FEPAFUT (@fepafut) January 28, 2024
As reported by CNN Sport, Tejada was Panama’s highest goal scorer of all time, with 43 international goals to his name. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in securing qualification for the national team’s first World Cup appearance in 2018.
Condolences poured in from fans worldwide, with one expressing gratitude to “Golden Tooth” for guiding his country to its first World Cup in 2018. Despite facing defeats against England, Belgium, and Tunisia that year, Panamanians were thankful for finally receiving recognition of their team’s efforts.
Others expressed shock at Tejada’s sudden death at such a young age. Similar tragic events have occurred recently, such as the death of Cuban judo wrestler Maricet Espinosa Gonzalez, aged 34, due to a heart attack on January 21st. The previous week, 29-year-old pole vaulter Shawn Barber, an Olympian from the 2016 Rio Games, also died unexpectedly. Additionally, former NFL linebacker Ronald Powell died suddenly at 32 with no explanation given.
I still remember him scoring a beauty of a bicycle kick goal against Mexico in WC qualifying. RIP https://t.co/HNkkIEtc1q
— LeftieQuixote✧ (@The_Leftie) January 28, 2024
