R.I.P. Christian Benitez

[King Binny]

Different reasons quoted for his death.

Christian “Chucho” Benitez, one of the mainstays of the Ecuadorian national soccer team and a new member of Qatari club El Jaish, has died Monday of respiratory complications in Qatar. He was 27 years old.

News of Benitez’ death spread through Twitter, where “Chucho Benitez” was trending Monday morning. His death was also confirmed on Ecuadorian radio.

Among those tweeting about Benitez’ passing was Miami Beach-based soccer announcer Juan Arrango. He said Benitez’ father-on-law, Klever Chalá, said the former Club America star was admitted to a Qatari hospital with appendicitis, which led to complications that led to respiratory arrest.

Born in Quito, Ecuador in 1986, Benitez has a successful soccer career that started with Quito-based club El Nacional in 2004. The striker scored 29 goals during his time at El Nacional. In the 2009-2010 season, Benitez was on loan to English Premiere League club Birmingham City, where he scored three goals in 30 appearances.

In 2011, Benitez signed with Club America, one of the most successful soccer teams in Mexico’s Liga MX. He left America in after the 2012-2013 season, and signed a contract with El Jaish in July.

Christian Benitez, who played for Birmingham City in the Premier League, has tragically died in a car accident at the age of 27.

A summer transfer target for Tottenham, the striker had only completed a £10million switch to Qatari side El Jaish from Mexican team Club America a few weeks ago.

El Jaish confirmed their new signing had died in a car accident.

Benitez, nicknamed 'Chucho', was on loan at St. Andrew's for the 2009-10 season, making 30 appearances for the Blues. He won 58 caps for Ecuador.

 

[Spionkop69]

Hang on.

Complications from appendicitis or a car crash? Its not like they're remotely close!

 

[jimmy]

R.I.P.

 

[refugee]

Hang on.

Complications from appendicitis or a car crash? Its not like they're remotely close!

Maybe he went to hospital because of appendicitis, and his ambulance crashed on the way there.

Sad news anyway. RIP

 

[BlitzAce]

Shame he was a talented player, didn't quite hit off in the EPL though but everywhere else his record speaks for itself. R.I.P chucho.

 

[King Binny]

Found the club statement. No mention of car accident. Think the actual cause should be cardio-pulmonary arrest mentioned by his father-in-law.

The Andes state news agency in Ecuador said Chucho's cause of death was unconfirmed, as different outlets reported conflicting reasons.

Benitez had just completed a $15 million (£9.77m) move to Qatari side El Jaish from Club America.

He previously represented Birmingham City in the Premier League in the 2009-10 season, scoring three times in 30 appearances.

A statement on the El Jaish website read: “El Jaish mourns the death of our new Ecuadorean striker Christian Benitez, who passed away this morning.

“We give our sincerest condolences to the family of the player. He had only recently joined the club on a three-year contract from Club America in Mexico.

“Christian played for us for the first time yesterday, during the third round of the Sheikh Jassim Cup against Qatar Sports Club.

“He did not complain of any health problems so the sudden death of Benitez is a big shock for the team, staff and family.

“In his short time here he was known for his excellent character.”

 

[Judge Jules]

Good grief. Puts stuff into perspective, and then some.

Christian Benitez RIP.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

RIP ... young children left behind ...

 

[SummerOnions]

fucking hell... RIP

 

[King Binny]

The agent who helped bring Benitez to England, Barry McIntosh today and told mirror.co.uk: "It's a very sad day to lose a talented player who was set to do well at the World Cup next year.

"I'd like to pass on my condolences to his family.

"He has young twins and was married to the daughter of a former Ecuador national team player called Kleber Chala who used to play for Southampton.

"I really liked Christian as a player and a person.

"On the pitch he was very skillful and was now scoring more goals.

"He didn't score loads for Birmingham but he was a crowd favourite as he was exciting to watch.

"He was instrumental in helping Birmingham secure their Premier League status.

"The opposition - and sometimes even his team-mates - didn't know what he was going to do with the ball.

"But it was only now he had probably reached his best vein of form.

"His exploits at Club America had just led to a mega-money move.

"It's a shame as he had only just unpacked his bags there in Qatar.

"It is a loss in a football sense but obviously more for the quiet, nice person he was and I'll remember him always smiling."

Tribute video from Birmingham City:

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeecrRByWGs

 

[Whirly]

Horrible, RIP Benitez

I was using him on FIFA less than 12 hours ago, and he kept missing sitters 🙁

 

[BlitzAce]

His second in form on FIFA UT is boss!! 😉

 

[Whirly]

His second in form on FIFA UT is boss!! 😉

You clearly haven't used his third in form

It's spectacular

 

[BlitzAce]

You clearly haven't used his third in form

It's spectacular

He has a third one!!!! Oh dear.

 

[Bradley]

RIP that man.

Did one of his 3 goals for Birmingham come against us?

 

[Bradley]

It did, just watched the clip.