A footballer has died aged 43 after suddenly collapsing on the pitch during a veterans’ match.
Gerardo Manghi fell to the turf during the second half as horrified players from both teams rushed to help him.
The amateur footballer was taken to hospital but tragically could not be saved.
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The match took place in Rodeo, San Juan Province, Argentina, on Saturday (5 September).
Gerardo was playing for Bajo Colola against Bella Vista FC in the second round of the veterans’ tournament ‘Homenaje a Rodolfo Morales’.
He was rushed to Hospital Tomás Perón in Rodeo, where he later died.
Gerardo, affectionately known to locals as El Gringo del Mate, originally came from Buenos Aires but had lived in Rodeo for many years.
He had made the mountain town his home and was a familiar face in its footballing community.
Gerardo regularly played in the local veterans’ league and a knockout competition known as the liguilla.
Friends said football was one of his great loves.
What had begun as a Saturday kickabout with friends ended in tragedy following his sudden collapse.
Gerardo’s wake was held at a local funeral hall on Sunday, as reported by NeedToKnow.
He was buried at Rodeo Municipal Cemetery at 2pm on Monday.
No official medical cause of death has yet been released.
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