(FILES) Christian Benitez of America celebrates the first goal against Pumas during their Mexican Clausura Tournament quarterfinal football match on May 11, 2013 at the Azteca stadium in Mexico City.
QUITO, Pichincha: Ecuador striker Christian Benitez has died suddenly in Qatar at the age of 27, his agent Jose Chamorro said yesterday.
Speaking to Ecuadorian Gama TV, Chamorro claimed Benitez, known as “Chucho”, had suffered a heart-attack.
He had complained of abdominal pains and was transferred to a hospital, where he died yesterday, 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. El Jaish said in a statement that Benitez played on Sunday with the team in a 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,” it said. The club did not give a cause for the death. AFP
