Ecuadorian national team member and former Birmingham City striker Christian Benitez has tragically passed away today of a suspected heart attack.
The Ecuadorian FA released a statement regarding the striker’s cause of death, saying:
“[Benitez] had severe stomach pain and was rushed to a hospital where, after a few hours, suffered cardio-respiratory arrest, which ended his life.”
They added: “The Ecuadorian Football Federation extends its heartfelt note of sympathy to the family members, parents, wife, children and friends of our striker Cristian Benitez.”
While he was a summer transfer target for Tottenham, Benitez instead made a £10million switch from Mexican team Club America to Qatari club El Jaish a few weeks ago. El Jaish released a statement following news of the player’s death, saying: “The club would like to offer its sincere condolences to the family of the player.
“Benitez had recently joined the club from Club America for three seasons. The player participated for the first time with the team during yesterday’s match against Qatar Sports Club in the Sheikh Jassem Cup without complaining of any health problems.
“His sudden departure is a big shock for each member of the technical and administrative staff. He was a player that over the short period he was here was regarded for his high moral character.”
Benitez played for Ecuador’s national squad, picking up 58 caps in his career and representing his country in the 2006 World Cup. He is most famous in the UK for his season in the Premier League at Birmingham City in 2009 – 2010, where the fans at St. Andrews lovingly referred to him as “Chucho”.
Photo: Getty Images
