Andres Balanta, a standout in the Argentine First Division and a native of Columbia, passed away after falling during practice.
The 22-year-old made seven appearances for Atletico Tucuman during the 2021/22 season.
Balanta, a Colombian native born in Cali, passed out during practice, and despite 40 minutes of CPR, he was not revived.
The midfielder, who had previously represented Colombia at the youth level, had recently relocated to Argentina and hoped to play for the national team.
A club representative said: “We regret to inform you about the death of Andres Balanta.”
“The club’s supporters are deeply saddened today. Of course, we support his family, team-mates and friends.”
Added the Colombian FA: “The Colombian Football Federation regrets the death of Andres Balanta, player of the Colombia national team in its different divisions.”
The news shocked Sergio Aguero, a Manchester City legend whose career was ended last year due to a heart issue.
Aguero said during a Twitch live stream that he had been informed that if he continued practicing and competing, what happened to Balanta could have happened to him.
He stated: “Balanta died, they say, being trained? Now?
“That’s s***, I clearly remember that the doctor told me that that can happen, and that’s why they (the doctors) don’t allow me to play because what I had…
“I don’t know what happened with the controls [medical testing]… it’s really difficult…”
Aguero’s heart problem was discovered not long after he joined Barcelona.
The 34-year-old was diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia after feeling tightness in his chest during a game against Alaves in October 2021.
Aguero later took medical advice and retired.
In 2019, while playing for Deportivo Cali, Balanta underwent medical examination after experiencing a brief loss of consciousness after a morning training session.
Balanta has received numerous tributes. One admirer wrote on Twitter: “Sad for such a quick departure. My sincere condolences to family, friends and club mates. God bless them.”
Andres Balanta
Colombian professional footballer Andrés Felipe Balanta Cifuentes (18 January 2000 – 29 November 2022) was a defensive midfielder for Deportivo Cali and Atlético Tucumán.
He competed at the youth level for his country.
The technical director Lucas Pusineri specifically requested that he join Atlético Tucumán in June 2022 on loan from Deportivo Cali until June 2023 with a purchase option. This was his first experience playing abroad.
On November 29, 2022, while practicing in Tucumán, Argentina, Balanta suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest and passed out. For 40 minutes, medical workers tried unsuccessfully to revive the patient.
What Happened To Sergio Aguero?
On October 30, 2021, Aguero received just his second start for Barca in a Liga match against Alaves, however he was forced to leave the game early due to chest symptoms and dizziness.
The cardiac ailment that forced Sergio Aguero to retire late last year has been publicized, and he has stated that the chip used to monitor his condition makes him feel “like Iron Man.”
Aguero announced his early retirement in December 2021 after feeling discomfort in his chest during Barcelona’s 1-1 draw with Alaves in October 2021. He was later diagnosed with a cardiac arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat.
After spending ten years at Manchester City, he made what he called a “dream” move to the Blaugrana in the summer, but was only able to make six appearances.
