Peruvian footballer Helar Gonzales Altamirano has died aged 21 after sustaining a serious head injury during Real Titan NC’s match against Defensor Nueva Cajamarca earlier this week.
There were deeply distressing scenes as Altamirano lay motionless on the turf following a collision with the opposition goalkeeper in the 70th minute of Tuesday’s Copa Peru contest.
Both sets of players immediately expressed concern as the referee brought the game to a halt, before Altamirano was carried from the field of play on a stretcher and lifted into an ambulance.
Altamirano’s family and loved ones called on fans to send their prayers shortly after the clash, with the youngster taken to a hospital in Moyobamba, northern Peru.
But Real Titan NC confirmed on Thursday that Altamirano had tragically lost his fight for survival.
‘Rest in peace friend. We will remember you for your love of football and your family. You leave us with great pain,’ the Peruvian club said in a statement.
‘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.’
Altamirano’s brother, Eliceo, told local media in Peru that his sibling had suffered a ruptured artery in his head caused by blunt force trauma.
Live footage of Altamirano’s coffin being taken to a funeral parlour was shared by Real Titan NC and a montage of his goals have been uploaded to the team’s social media pages in tribute.
Altamirano’s family have asked for donations to help with funeral expenses, while his father, Jose, thanked those who had passed on messages of support over the last 48 hours.
‘I would like to thank everyone for their support with this terrible pain that we’re experiencing,’ he told local media.
‘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.’
In a short but heartfelt statement on X, the Peruvian Football Federation passed on their ‘deepest condolences’.
‘We regret the death of Helar Gonzales Altamirano,’ the message read.
‘Our deepest condolences to his family, friends and Real Titan Club.’
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