Ecuador international Christian Benitez, the
top scorer in the Mexican league last season,
has died suddenly at the age of 27.
The striker passed away in the Qatari capital
Doha, one day after playing his first game
for new side El Jaish.
Having played at the 2006 World Cup as a
youngster, Benitez had developed into an
important component of an Ecuadorian side
bidding to reach next year's finals in Brazil.
His 24 international goals make him
the
third highest scorer overall for Ecuador's
national team.
The cause of his death was initially unclear,
with some news outlets reporting that he
died in a car crash while others suggested
he died of a heart attack.
Jose Chamorro, the player's agent, told an
Ecuadorian television station that Benitez
had suffered a heart attack and died in
hospital, where he had been taken after
complaining of abdominal pains.
Manchester United star Antonio Valencia, an
international colleague of Benitez who
played with the striker at leading
Ecuadorian side El Nacional a decade ago,
was among those struggling to come to
terms with the loss.
"This pain (is) very strong my brother but
we love you," the winger wrote on Twitter,
where he also posted several pictures of the
diminutive forward.
Despite being a footballer who failed to hit
the heights in Europe, news of Benitez's
death trended on Twitter.
Ecuador's interior minister Jose Serrano was
among those who took to the micro-
blogging site to comment, writing: "Dear
Chucho, thank you for your goals and your
happiness."
Sunderland's Craig Gardner, who played
with Benitez at Birmingham City between
2009 and 2010, was also moved to
comment.
"Can' believe Christian Benitez has died,"
Gardner wrote. "I had the pleasure to play
with him. He was a top bloke. My thoughts
go out to his family."
Having only signed Benitez three weeks
ago, El Jaish were forced to confirm news of
his death on their website.
"The club would like to offer its sincere
condolences to the family of the player," a
club statement said on Monday.
"Benitez had recently joined the club from
Club America for three seasons. The player
participated for the first time with the team
during yesterday's match against Qatar
Sports Club in the Sheikh Jassem Cup
without complaining of any health
problems.
"His sudden departure is a big shock for
each member of the technical and
administrative staff. He was a player that
over the short period he was here was
regarded for his high moral character."
The son of former international Ermen
Benitez, who is still the top league scorer in
Ecuadorian football history, Christian made
his name at El Nacional, a club where his
father played with great success
throughout the 1980's.
After leaving the Quito side, who posted a
tribute on their website to Christian on
Monday, the South American plied his trade
with such success for Mexico's Santos
Laguna that he alerted the interest of the
English Premier League.
Joining Birmingham City on loan in 2009,
the Ecuadorian made his debut at
Manchester United and scored his first goal
at Liverpool.
Despite a bright start, his impact faded over
the season, prompting Birmingham
manager Alex McLeish to return a man
popularly known as 'Chucho' to Santos
Laguna in 2010.
After leading the scoring charts, he joined
rivals America in 2011 and helped the club
win this year's Clausura title -- finishing as
top scorer along the way.
He was still contracted to the club until
moving to Qatar this month, but America
also paid respects to a key player of recent
times.
"Christian will always be present in our
hearts and we will never forget you. Rest in
peace," read the club website.
top scorer in the Mexican league last season,
has died suddenly at the age of 27.
The striker passed away in the Qatari capital
Doha, one day after playing his first game
for new side El Jaish.
Having played at the 2006 World Cup as a
youngster, Benitez had developed into an
important component of an Ecuadorian side
bidding to reach next year's finals in Brazil.
His 24 international goals make him
the
third highest scorer overall for Ecuador's
national team.
The cause of his death was initially unclear,
with some news outlets reporting that he
died in a car crash while others suggested
he died of a heart attack.
Jose Chamorro, the player's agent, told an
Ecuadorian television station that Benitez
had suffered a heart attack and died in
hospital, where he had been taken after
complaining of abdominal pains.
Manchester United star Antonio Valencia, an
international colleague of Benitez who
played with the striker at leading
Ecuadorian side El Nacional a decade ago,
was among those struggling to come to
terms with the loss.
"This pain (is) very strong my brother but
we love you," the winger wrote on Twitter,
where he also posted several pictures of the
diminutive forward.
Despite being a footballer who failed to hit
the heights in Europe, news of Benitez's
death trended on Twitter.
Ecuador's interior minister Jose Serrano was
among those who took to the micro-
blogging site to comment, writing: "Dear
Chucho, thank you for your goals and your
happiness."
Sunderland's Craig Gardner, who played
with Benitez at Birmingham City between
2009 and 2010, was also moved to
comment.
"Can' believe Christian Benitez has died,"
Gardner wrote. "I had the pleasure to play
with him. He was a top bloke. My thoughts
go out to his family."
Having only signed Benitez three weeks
ago, El Jaish were forced to confirm news of
his death on their website.
"The club would like to offer its sincere
condolences to the family of the player," a
club statement said on Monday.
"Benitez had recently joined the club from
Club America for three seasons. The player
participated for the first time with the team
during yesterday's match against Qatar
Sports Club in the Sheikh Jassem Cup
without complaining of any health
problems.
"His sudden departure is a big shock for
each member of the technical and
administrative staff. He was a player that
over the short period he was here was
regarded for his high moral character."
The son of former international Ermen
Benitez, who is still the top league scorer in
Ecuadorian football history, Christian made
his name at El Nacional, a club where his
father played with great success
throughout the 1980's.
After leaving the Quito side, who posted a
tribute on their website to Christian on
Monday, the South American plied his trade
with such success for Mexico's Santos
Laguna that he alerted the interest of the
English Premier League.
Joining Birmingham City on loan in 2009,
the Ecuadorian made his debut at
Manchester United and scored his first goal
at Liverpool.
Despite a bright start, his impact faded over
the season, prompting Birmingham
manager Alex McLeish to return a man
popularly known as 'Chucho' to Santos
Laguna in 2010.
After leading the scoring charts, he joined
rivals America in 2011 and helped the club
win this year's Clausura title -- finishing as
top scorer along the way.
He was still contracted to the club until
moving to Qatar this month, but America
also paid respects to a key player of recent
times.
"Christian will always be present in our
hearts and we will never forget you. Rest in
peace," read the club website.
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