Spain mourns Puerta loss

Spain mourns Puerta loss

Sevilla FC midfielder Antonio Puerta died in hospital this afternoon.

Critical condition

The 22-year-old had been in a critical condition in the Virgen del Rocío hospital in Seville for three days after suffering a heart attack during the Primera División match against Getafe CF on Saturday.

Puerta had collapsed 35 minutes into the game, but recovered consciousness and was able to walk off the pitch. Doctors said he had collapsed again in the changing rooms and had to be given cardiac resuscitation before being taken to hospital.

Local hero

Puerta, who was capped once by Spain last October, was born in Seville and had come through the ranks of his hometown club. He became a first-team regular last season – he made 55 Primera División appearances in all – and featured in Sevilla's successive UEFA Cup triumphs as well as their victories in the UEFA Super Cup, the Spanish Cup and this month's Spanish Super Cup. Indeed, Puerta scored the winning penalty in May as Sevilla defeated RCD Espanyol in a shoot-out after drawing 2-2 in Glasgow to reclaim the European trophy. "I dreamed of playing for Sevilla but never imagined I could win five trophies in 15 months with the club," he said. "I'm proud to be from Seville."