Tributes have been paid to a 21-year-old Peruvian footballer after he died in hospital following horror collision with goalkeeper during match in front of his anguished family.
Helar Gonzales Altamirano was taken away from the pitch on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance after being knocked out when he smashed into a rival team goalie as he went for a long ball.
His brother Eliceo, who was still asking people to pray for Helar on Tuesday on social media, confirmed on Thursday he had lost his fight for life later the same day.
He attributed his death following Sunday’s collision to the rupture of an artery in his sibling’s head.
The tragic footballer’s club Real Titan Nc said in a statement: ‘Rest in peace friend.
‘We will remember you for your love of football and your family. You leave us with great pain.
‘Great strength to your family at this difficult time. They are not alone because Titan is with them and the football family is with them.
The club went on to publish live footage of Helar’s coffin being taken to a funeral parlour in a white hearse ahead of the wake and a video of the goals he had scored this year before his untimely death.
The fatal collision occurred in the 70th minute of a Copa Peru match between Helar’s team and another called Defensor Nueva Cajamarca.
Footage showed players crowding round him as he was taken away on a stretcher unconscious, with a teammate helping to put him in the ambulance that took him to hospital in the northern Peruvian city of Moyobamba.
A TV commentator said as he was driven away: ‘We hope he recovers and reacts quickly.’
Helar’s dad Jose, who was in the stands watching when his son fell unconscious to the ground, fought back tears as he told a local TV station: ‘I would like to thank everyone for their support with this terrible pain that we’re experiencing.
‘Helar wanted to be a great footballer from a very young age and was always talking about going as far in the sport as he could.
‘I know his team are going to dedicate all their future achievements to him.
‘I thought at first when I saw the clash that it was another player and didn’t initially connect that it was Helar.
‘I wanted to go onto the pitch to be nearer my son when I realised it was him but they wouldn’t let me and I didn’t see him until we got to hospital when he was already critical.’
Helar’s funeral will take place on Friday.
The Peruvian Football Federation said on X: ‘We regret the death of Helar Gonzales Altamirano.
‘Our deepest condolences to his family, friends and Real Titan Club.’
