'Everybody loved Puerta'
Last updated: 29th August 2007
Revista de La Liga
Tuesdays on Sky Sports
The start of the new La Liga season has been overshadowed by the tragic death of Sevilla defender Antonio Puerta, who collapsed during his side's opening-day defeat of Getafe.
And on the first Revista of the new year, Guillem Balague told Mark Bolton of Spanish football's shock at the loss of one of its most promising talents.
Puerta, who died in hospital three days after suffering a cardiac arrest, was just 22 and a newly-capped Spanish international left-back who had caught the eye of the country's biggest clubs.
"Puerta had actually fainted twice in the previous 12 months," Guillem said. "But doctors had run all kinds of tests, and nobody could find anything.
"He fainted again in the dressing-room after leaving the pitch, and all the correct machines were in place. They helped him not to die in the dressing room.
"He was taken to hospital and induced into a coma, but it was just not enough.
"He was 22, a guy who could have gone to Real Madrid this summer, a brand new international and a huge Sevilla fan.
"Everybody loved him and he was helping Sevilla go through the best period in their history. Suddenly, he's gone..."
Sevilla's ambition to add the Liga title to their two UEFA Cup successes now sits a distant second to their sense of loss, and Guillem believes they may not recover in time to challenge this season.
"Last season Villarreal lost Nihat in pre-season to injury only, and they did not recover for six months - everyone got a bit scared, did a bit less tackling etc.
"Now what we are seeing with Sevilla is huge. It will have an impact - you can see it already in their faces. They will have a difficult time to recover from this.
"The hope, though it sounds cold, is that the show will go on, but for now everything is on hold."
Comments
Dom Martin (Manchester United fan) says...
I think that through all this, we should be thankful that someone of his talent at least got to show it on the big stage. He still managed to live his dream of playing for his home town club and helping them to be the success that they now are. We must remember that he is going to be remembered forever. Despite such a tragedy, I believe that he still achieved his aims of having a family and living his dream. May you rest in peace antonio, all my prayers go to your family
Posted 10:34 1st September 2007
Macu Hachero (Liverpool fan) says...
As a sevilla f.c supporter, i miss Antonio Puerta and even more today in our first match in Monaco after the deceased. Arriba Sevilla!!
Posted 13:00 31st August 2007
Abdulla Al-taweel (Manchester United fan) says...
This is a sad day in football, i was honestly following his story and prayed that he would get better throughout :( R.I.P Antonio Puerta..
Posted 12:25 30th August 2007
Hugh Edwards (Hamilton Academical fan) says...
Such a tragic loss, what a great player, I watched Seville many times last seaseon and was watching the game on Saturday night, when Puerta first collapsed. I wish to pass on my prayers and thought to all his family, freinds and team mates, to his unborn child, you have a father you can be proud off. Please be assured he will be watching over you. This goes to show that there are more important thing in life than football. May you rest well Antonio.
Posted 12:00 30th August 2007
Gabriel Atuanya (Manchester United fan) says...
I still find it hard to believe that such a tragedy could happen to such a young promising gifted player. I only got to know about him when Sevilla won the UEFA cup back in May in Glasgow. He caught my eye and I've been hoping to see him play ever since. There's only tears now. Such a tragedy and sincere condolences to all his family and friends including his unborn child. May heaven be your resting place.
Posted 09:51 30th August 2007
Kassim Majid (Manchester United fan) says...
puerta was a fantastic player, i watched him last season. sevilla were outstanding last season and now they have a gap that is impossible to fill. I am sure he will be greatly remebered all over the footballing world. my thoughts are with his family and i wish them all the best.
Posted 09:35 30th August 2007
Terry Nottage (West Ham United fan) says...
Such a sad loss, my thoughts are with Antonio's friends, team mates and family. Lets hope this type of tradegy doesn't happen again in football. R.I.P Antonio.
Posted 08:57 30th August 2007
Joss Duffy (Celtic fan) says...
To the players, staff and fans of Sevilla i send my sincere condolences. A minutes applause was well observed at Celtic Park tonight. More importantly though, to Antonio Puerta's partner, whom i believe is due to give birth soon, i send my deepest, deepest regrets. The whole footballing world is thinking of you at this sad time. Rest well Antonio.
Posted 03:27 30th August 2007
Ous Njie (Manchester United fan) says...
antoino..may his soul rest in peacee. its a tragic loss to football. may GOD bless u
Posted 01:52 30th August 2007
Jill Clay (Liverpool fan) says...
It is a terrible loss for Spanish football. To die that young is very sad. May I pass on by good wishes to Antonio's family and friends, and also his club Sevilla.
Posted 23:31 29th August 2007
Denial Islamcevic (Chelsea fan) says...
Rest in peace Antonio God bless your familfy
Posted 20:33 29th August 2007
Yo Yo (Nottingham Forest fan) says...
It is really a huge tragedy to the game and spanish football where the world of players converge and follow a common interest religiously. It also highlights the importance of health over all other financial, social and political concerns in the game. May god bless you Puerta! You will be dearly missed in our hearts.
Posted 14:51 29th August 2007
Kyle Turner (Grimsby Town fan) says...
such a tragic loss for spanish football, he was a very talented played and a joy to watch
Posted 14:28 29th August 2007
Alex Westwood (Aston Villa fan) says...
i would like to pass our thoughts on to the family of Puerta .... remember the proud, happy memories he gave to you and the joy he brought to so many people. those the holte x
Posted 14:18 29th August 2007
Anthony Keyworth (Blackburn Rovers fan) says...
This sort of tragedy puts all things in perspective. All thoughts are with his family and hopefully the club and players will be able to mark his memory with a fantastic season
Posted 13:20 29th August 2007
Richard Adu (Newcastle United fan) says...
Newcastle fan in Ghana, Africa says may ur soul rest in peace
Posted 13:13 29th August 2007
Lesley Jack (Dundee fan) says...
such a tragedy......he will be sorely missed.......God bless your family......sleep tight..xx
Posted 13:09 29th August 2007
Fahad Al-kadi (Manchester United fan) says...
He will be missed. May God rest his soul in peace.
Posted 13:05 29th August 2007
Sean Hamilton (Celtic fan) says...
Antonio Puerta was a joy to watch in his few years in La Liga. Extremely versatile, he was transformed into a left back but I recall games with him being a left winger and occasionally up front. Fortunately for him he won many titles for the team he supported and I hope they can continue to shine without him as they have been breathtaking over the last 2 seasons. I believe we are conducting a minutes applause at Celtic Park tonight and I urge everyone to be at the ground early to show their support for the Puerta family. A tremendous talent but more significantly, a tremendous loss to the footballing world.
Posted 12:53 29th August 2007
Rami Radwan (Arsenal fan) says...
I think what this shows is just how fragile life is... Whats even more shocking is that a professional footballer is the last person you would expect to suffer heart problems, given their fitness levels.. maybe they're body's are being driven too hard at times... To god we belong, and surely to him is out return. I wish his family all the best and my thoughts are with them at this tragic time.
Posted 12:45 29th August 2007
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