Alex Apolinario, Brazilian midfielder, dies of cardiac arrest at age 24
- Alex Apolinario passes away after suffering heart complications
- The Brazilian midfielder was in action for his Portuguese lower league side when he fell unconscious
- The 24-year-old was stable after his incident on Sunday before giving up the fight four days later
PAY ATTENTION: Join Legit.ng Telegram channel! Never miss important updates!
Brazilian midfielder Alex Apolinario has been confirmed dead on Thursday, January 7 due to heart complications.
The 24-year-old was said to have fallen unconscious during a football match for his Portuguese third-tier club side FC Alverca against Uniao de Almeirim on Sunday.
Though sources say he was already stable the same night he suffered the cardiac arrest but four days later, his club announced that he didn't make it.
PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Legit.ng News on your Facebook News Feed!
However, the club has promised to assist the deceased family during their trying moment in an official statement from the club:
Source: Getty Images
"It is with deep regret that we report, according to the information provided by the medical staff of the Vila Franca de Xira Hospital, the death by brain death of our athlete Alex Sandro dos Santos Apolinário, this morning.
"FC Alverca Futebol SAD will provide all the necessary support to their families. At this time of mourning all the activities of FC Alverca are canceled."
According to Sunsport, medics reportedly used a defibrillator on Apolinario on the pitch before he was taken to hospital.
Meanwhile, his death has thrown both players and coaches with other non-playing staff in tears during the troubling incident. While some were seen kneeling down and praying. A statement from the local emergency services on Sunday read:
"We received a warning at 11:30 am to help a male victim at FC Alverca Sports Complex and two minutes later we drove two vehicles and four men to the stadium.
“The sooner the help is, the greater the likelihood and quality of life of survival. Now we are concerned about the recovery of the man and not the football player. We will have confidence."
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Manchester City family has been thrown into mourning barely five days into the New Year following the death of their legend Colin Bell.
The former England international who spent 13 years at the Etihad Stadium was confirmed dead on Tuesday, January 5 after battling a long-term illness.
He was regarded as one of the finest players to have ever donned the Citizens outfits after scoring 152 goals in 492 appearances across competitions.
3 interesting footballing moments between Maradona and Nigeria | Legit TV
Source: Legit.ng
