The 22-year old Antonio José Puerta Pérez, who was born in Sevilla on 26 November 1984, was a Spanish international midfielder. Left-footed Antonio Puerta plays on the left side of midfield for Sevilla FC in La Liga.
He was once capped by the Spain national football team and Spain U-21. He made his debut on October 6, 2006, in his qualification match against Sweden for the 2008 UEFA European Football Championship. His recent impressive and marvellous performances in the football team earned him an international recognition.
During Sevilla's first match of the 2007-08 La Liga season against Getafe CF on 25 August2007 (Saturday) held at Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán stadium, he collapsed and lost consciousness in a sudden. After being treated by team doctors, he was subsequently back to his team's goal after a league game passed 30 minutes. However, Antonio Puerta collapsed once again in the changing room. He was given cardiac resuscitation before being rushed to the Virgen del Rocio hospital in Sevilla for further treatment. While arriving at the hospital, his condition had deteriorated.
After three days of his league game against Getafe CF on 25 August, Antonio Puerta passed away at the hospital on 28 August 2007. Doctor Francisco Murillo reported that Antonio Puerta had suffered multiple organ failure and irreversible brain damage as a result of multiple prolonged cardiac arrests due to an incurable, hereditary heart disease known as arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.
Servilla sucessfully beat Getafe at 4-1 in Saturday's match and was scheduled to play at AEK Athens on 28 August (Tuesday). However, Sevilla's UEFA Champions League qualifier against AEK Athens was postponed to Friday31 August as a result of Antonio Puerta's death. As a consequence, Servilla league game against Osasuna which was scheduled on 1 September has also been postponed. There will also be one-minute silence in tribute of Antonio Puerta before every La Liga match on the weekend of September 12.
Let us extend our sympathy and sincere condolences to the family of Antonio Puerta. May the soul of Antonio Puerta stays in peace and tranquility.
