BRAZILIAN footballer Alex Apolinario has died aged 24 after having a cardiac arrest and collapsing during a match on Sunday.
He was playing for Portuguese third tier side FC Alverca against Uniao de Almeirim when he lost consciousness and fell to the ground in the 27th minute of the game. He was said to be stable on Sunday night.
But his club confirmed the tragic news of his death on Thursday.
A statement read: “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.”
And some were seen kneeling down and praying before a prayer circle was formed.
A statement from the local emergency services on Sunday read: “We received a warning at 11:30am to help a male victim at FC Alverca Sports Complex and two minutes later we drove two vehicles and four men to the stadium.
source: the sun
