Football's darkest moments: Players who passed away on the pitch

Football, a sport adored by millions worldwide, brings both joy and heartbreak. Yet, one of the most heart-wrenching moments is seeing a player lying unconscious on the field. Throughout football history, there have been tragic incidents where players lost their lives during a match. Here are some of those unforgettable stories.

Antonio Puerta

On August 28, 2007, during a championship match against Getafe, former Sevilla player Antonio Puerta collapsed on the field. He was substituted immediately and briefly regained consciousness, even managing to walk off the pitch. However, he collapsed again in the dressing room. Three days later, Puerta died in the hospital from post-anoxic encephalopathy.

Miklós Fehér

The former Benfica player passed away on January 25, 2004, at the age of 24. During a league match against Vitória Guimarães, he collapsed on the field after slowing his pace. Fehér died in the hospital due to a pulmonary embolism.

Marc-Vivien Foé

On June 26, 2003, during a match between Cameroon and Colombia in France, Foé collapsed on the field after suffering a heart attack. Despite immediate medical attention, he tragically passed away on the pitch.

Piermario Morosini

On April 14, 2012, during a match between Livorno and Pescara, Morosini suffered a heart attack on the field. Although he was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, doctors were unable to save him.

José Antonio Gallardo

Gallardo, a Malaga goalkeeper, collided with a defender during a match against Celta in the Spanish Championship. While the defender recovered quickly, Gallardo lost consciousness. Seventeen days later, he fell into a coma and tragically passed away on January 8, 1988.

Marcio Dos Santos

Shortly after scoring the winning goal for Deportivo Wanka against Alianza Lima on October 28, 2002, Dos Santos suffered a heart attack at the club hotel. He had complained of a headache before the match and was given medication but passed away later that day.

Alen Pamić

Pamić collapsed from a heart attack on March 22, 2013, during a friendly match against NK Istra. Despite having a history of heart issues, he had been cleared to continue his career. Sadly, he did not survive this final incident.

Peter Biaksangzuala

On October 19, 2024, the 23-year-old Betlam Wengtlang midfielder in the Indian Premier League suffered a fatal spinal injury while celebrating a goal. He passed away shortly after.

Cristian Gómez

During a match for Atlético Paraná against Boca Unidos on May 24, 2015, the 27-year-old Gómez collapsed on the pitch and died soon afterward.

Serhiy Perkhun

On August 29, 2001, CSKA Moscow goalkeeper Serhiy Perkhun suffered a severe head injury after colliding with a defender during a Russian championship match. He lost consciousness and later fell into a coma, eventually succumbing to his injuries.