Qatari club confirms Ecuador striker Benitez died of heart failure, plans ceremony for striker

DOHA, Qatar – Christian Benitez died of heart failure, Qatari club El Jaish said Wednesday without providing further details.

The Ecuador striker died Monday, a day after playing his first match for his new club.

“The official medical reports were issued by official state entities and stated that the sudden death was caused by heart failure,” the club said in a statement.

On Tuesday, Ecuador football federation president Luis Chiriboga said the 27-year-old Benitez had been taken to the hospital with sharp stomach pains, developed peritonitis and died of cardiorespiratory arrest.

Benitez’s body is expected to be sent back to Ecuador on a private plane, paid for by the club.

A funeral was planned for Thursday in Quito, while a tribute is expected to be held at the General Ruminahui Coliseum.

Benitez was a powerful striker who helped former club America to win the Mexican championship last season. The father of three, who also played for Birmingham, scored 24 goals in 58 appearances for Ecuador and was on the country’s World Cup team in 2006.