A fan died minutes before the friendly game between Portugal and Nigeria this evening, June 10th. The 77-year-old man suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest at the Dr. Magalhães Pessoa Stadium, in Leiria.
He was immediately rescued and taken to Santo André Hospital. At the scene, the fan was declared dead. The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) regretted what happened.
“The Portuguese Football Federation deeply regrets the death of a fan who this evening suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest before the game and while preparing to watch Portugal-Nigeria, at the Magalhães Pessoa Stadium, in Leiria. Despite the prompt intervention of the medical emergency forces present at the scene, the death was eventually declared at the hospital”, reads a note sent to the newspaper.
In addition to sympathizing with the fan’s family, the FPF expresses dedication of the national team’s first victory to the elderly person. “In this moment of enormous pain and regret, the Portuguese Football Federation and the National Team join in the consternation of this fan’s family and friends. The National Team will do everything it can to, during the 2026 World Cup, dedicate the first victory to his memory”, he adds.
Portugal beat Nigeria today, with goals from Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceição. The final score was 2×1.
