Details of the story
Ecuadorian worldwide Christian Benitez died on the age of 27
The ahead died only a day after making his debut for Qatar's El Jaish
Loss of life prompts emotional outburst on Twitter from former Birmingham participant
CNN
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On the age of 27, the Ecuadorian consultant Christian Benitez, one of the best scorer of the Mexican league final season, died abruptly.
The striker referred to as 'Chucho' died within the Qatari capital Doha, at some point after enjoying his first recreation for brand spanking new staff El Jaish.
Benitez, who performed on the 2006 World Cup as a teen, has turn into an essential a part of the Ecuadorian facet bidding to achieve the finals in Brazil subsequent yr.
His 24 worldwide targets make him the third highest scorer general for the Ecuadorian nationwide staff.
Jose Chamorro, the participant's agent, instructed an Ecuadorian tv station that Benitez suffered a coronary heart assault and died in hospital the place he was taken after complaining of stomach ache.
Manchester United star Antonio Valencia, a world colleague of Benitez's who performed with the striker at prime Ecuadorian facet El Nacional a decade in the past, was amongst these struggling to return to phrases with the loss.
“This ache (is) very robust, brother, however we love you,” the winger wrote on Twitterthe place he additionally posted some footage of the diminutive ahead.
Regardless of being a footballer who failed to achieve the heights in Europe, information of Benitez's dying was trending on Twitter.
Ecuador's Inside Minister Jose Serrano was amongst those that took to the microblogging web site to remark, writing: “Pricey Chucho, thanks on your targets and your happiness.”
Sunderland's Craig Gardner, who performed with Benitez at Birmingham Metropolis between 2009 and 2010, was additionally moved to have his say.
“I can't consider that Christian Benitez has died,” Gardner wrote. “I had the pleasure of enjoying with him. He was a prime man. My ideas exit to his household.”
El Jaish, who solely signed Benitez three weeks in the past, have been pressured to substantiate the information of his dying on their web site.
“The membership want to specific its honest condolences to the participant's household,” the membership stated on Monday.
“Benitez not too long ago joined the membership from Membership America for 3 seasons. The participant made his first look with the staff in yesterday's match towards Qatar Sports activities Membership within the Sheikh Jassem Cup with out complaining of any well being issues.
“His sudden departure comes as a terrific shock to each member of the technical and administrative workers. He was a participant who was regarded for his excessive ethical character within the quick time he was right here.
The son of former worldwide Ermen Benitez, who remains to be the highest league goalscorer within the historical past of Ecuadorian soccer, Christian made his identify at El Nacional, the membership the place his father performed with nice success all through the Nineteen Eighties.
After leaving the Quito facet, who revealed a tribute to Christian on their web site on Monday, the South American plyed his commerce with Mexico's Santos Laguna with such success that it attracted curiosity from the English Premier League.
The Ecuadorian, who joined Birmingham Metropolis on mortgage in 2009, made his Manchester United debut and scored his first purpose at Liverpool.
Regardless of a vivid begin, his affect pale because the season progressed, prompting Birmingham supervisor Alex McLeish to return Benitez to Santos Laguna in 2010.
After main the scoring charts, he joined the American rivals in 2011 and helped the membership win that yr's Clausura title – whereas additionally ending as prime scorer.
He was nonetheless below contract with the membership till his transfer to Qatar this month, however America additionally paid their respects to a key participant of late.
“Christian will at all times be current in our hearts and we are going to always remember you. Relaxation in peace,” reads the membership's web site.
Benitez's final worldwide purpose got here in a 4-1 World Cup qualifier win over Paraguay in Quito in March.
The Ecuadorians, who did not qualify for the 2010 finals in South Africa, are third in South American qualifying with 1 / 4 of the marketing campaign nonetheless to play.
The highest 4 groups within the nine-team group mechanically qualify for the 2014 World Cup.
Individuals we misplaced in 2013
