Brazilian footballer Daniel Robert de Jesus unexpectedly died during a warm-up before a premier league game in Kazakhstan, the director of the Irtysh football club said on Saturday.
Alexander Goncharenko said de Jesus, 28, suddenly fell ill during warm-ups for a match between Irtysh (Pavlodar) and Kairat (Almaty) on Friday evening and was escorted to the locker room, from where he never returned back to the pitch.
"The Brazilian footballer's condition became worse despite the team's doctor and masseuse's efforts and an ambulance was called; however, the medics were unable to save him," Goncharenko said.
Doctors have not named the exact cause of de Jesus's death, but suspect he had a stroke.
"One of the causes could be a stroke, sudden death syndrome or heat allergy," Goncharenko said.
De Jesus is survived by his wife, who is pregnant, and a 4-year-old son, who live in San Paolo, Brazil.
The game between Irtysh and Kairat ended in a draw of 0:0.
ASTANA, April 10 (RIA Novosti)
