A player for Moncarapachense died on Wednesday night after collapsing during a match for the Algarve FA Cup, played at the Municipal Stadium in Olhão.
Nassur Bacem, 27, fell unconscious during the first half of the third-round tie against Imortal DC and suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch. Despite immediate medical assistance, the Angolan-born footballer could not be saved.
“There are no words. This is an extremely difficult moment for everyone,” said Moncarapachense president Nemésio Martins, quoted by Correio da Manhã. “It was sudden. There was no time to do anything, even though the doctor was present at all times.”
The club has since posted a tribute to Bacem on its social media pages.
“Nassur leaves us too soon, leaving a void in a club and in all those who knew him, on and off the pitch. He was an athlete, a teammate and a person who will always be part of our family,” the club wrote.
Bacem began his career at Recreio Desportivo de Águeda and later played for the youth teams of Sporting, Académica, Braga and Leixões. As a senior professional, he represented Leixões, Vista Alegre, Marítimo, Oliveira do Hospital, Camacha and most recently Moncarapachense.
