Panama’s world-famous soccer star Luis “Matador” Tejada has died suddenly at just 41 years old, according to reports.
Tejada was a former Panama striker who was victorious in over 100 caps for his nation.
According to the Panamanian Football Federation (FEPAFUT), he passed away unexpectedly on Sunday.
He reportedly collapsed suddenly and died.
Playing soccer in Panama City’s outskirts, Tejada was participating in a veterans’ game before collapsing.
He was rushed to a nearby clinic to receive medical attention.
However, he was pronounced dead on arrival at the facility, local media reported, according to ESPN.
Media outlets in Panama are reporting that Tejada died of a heart attack.
FEPAFUT honored Tejada, who helped lead Panama to their first World Cup appearance in 2018.
“Synonymous of development and football in our country,” said FEPAFUT in an X post.
“We express our sincere condolences.
“We will never forget you, Matador.”
Playing in a total of 108 games for Panama’s national team, Tejada’s 43 goals is the top-scoring mark in the program’s history.
We lost a great local footballer today. He died from heart attack, but his legacy from being a top goalscorer and sending my country to their first World Cup will always be remembered
Q.E.P.D. “Matador” 😢 pic.twitter.com/pWiZuzB3ZL
— Pana Lemon (@PanaLemonPTY) January 29, 2024
In other sports-related deaths, Cuban judo wrestler and former Olympian Maricet Espinosa Gonzalez recently passed away at 34.
Cuban Sports University announced her death on Facebook, saying that they were “in mourning” and in “great pain.”
She died last week.
“On behalf of our teachers, workers, and students we extend our deepest condolences to their families, friends, and colleagues,” the university said.
Meanwhile, a much-loved Tennessee news anchor has just died suddenly at 38 years old.
Amanda Hanson, described as “energetic” by those who knew her, was the face of Memphis station Action News 5 until her shocking sudden death.
The cause of Hanson’s sudden and unexpected death has not been made public.
However, K8 News revealed that she suffered from a mysterious “medical emergency” and “died from complications.”
READ MORE – Canadian Journalist, Who Pushed Vaccine Mandates and Concentration Camps, Dead at 33
