A FOOTBALLER has died after collapsing on the pitch following a reported cardiac arrest – having shared a poignant message just hours earlier.
Enzo Pittau, 35, the dad of a new baby girl, lost his footing several times before his collapse 41 minutes into a cup game.
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Pittau was playing for Don Orione away to Club Union in Argentina’s Chaco federation tournament.
Witnesses say there was “chaos…screaming… and crying” as those nearby saw his fall and realised how serious the situation was.
Media outlet Hechos y Derecho say Pittau was taken in a private vehicle to a hospital, where he died.
The Chaco League star had played for numerous clubs in the area, also enjoying spells in Italy, Switzerland and Spain.
Football in the area, north of Argentina capital Buenos Aires, is in mourning and shock following his death.
A few hours before the match Pittau posted a touching message and photo on social media.
He wrote: “The faith and God in between. Today we play with soul and life.”
Alongside those words was a picture of his football top and shin guards – which had photos of his new daughter.
Pittau’s club said: “With deep pain, we communicate the death of Enzo Pittau. We are shocked and affected by this loss.
“We appreciate your solidarity and understanding in this difficult time for our club and Enzo Pittau’s family.”
We were all in shock, the players and us in the stands. The match was stopped for a while and then suspended.
Witness
A witness told Diario Chaco via Contexto Tucuman: “I was in the middle of the match and Pittau fell to the ground. It was as if he had fainted.
“I can still see it, and it’s very painful.
“Everything turned into chaos. People were running, screaming, crying, and yelling for help.
“From the stands, we didn’t really know what had happened, but it was awful.”
Another witness said: “I have this image of Pittau falling alone. I can’t get it out of my head.
“We’re dismayed by what happened.
“It hurts quite a bit. We were all in shock, the players and us in the stands. The match was stopped for a while and then suspended.”
Local media say Pittau had returned to Chaco to be near his family after his grandfather had health problems.
Sunday’s tragic match was the return leg in the second phase of the Argentinian Federativo tournament.
