Sport
Ecuadorian soccer striker Christian Benitez dies of suspected heart attack
Christian Benitez. PHOTO/AP
Ecuador striker Christian Benitez has died of a suspected heart attack, a day after playing in a match for Qatari club El Jaish, the team said.
The club said the 27-year-old Benitez, who moved from Mexican club America to play in Qatar this year, died Monday but provided no further details.
However, the player’s agent Jose Chamorro told Ecuadorian Gama TV that Benitez, known as “Chucho”, had suffered a heart-attack.
He had complained of abdominal pains and was transferred to a hospital, where he died on Monday, Chamorro said.
Benitez, who was top scorer in the Mexican league last season with Club America, had just signed for Qatari outfit El-Jaish and had travelled to the club to undergo a medical before completing his move.
Ecuador’s interior minister Jose Serrano took to Twitter to pay tribute to the player, who also turned out for English side Birmingham City for one season.
“Dear Chucho thank you for your goals and your happiness,” said the minister.
