What Happened To Christian ‘Chucho’ Benitez?

Yesterday, soccer star Christian “Chucho” Benitez died suddenly at the age of 27, but the athlete’s cause of death is still not apparent.

As news Chucho Benitez died spread across sports news networks, former teammates took to social media to memorialize the young player and express shock at his sudden passing.

Details about Chucho Benitez’s cause of death were initially sparse, and a day later, no supplemental information about how the soccer star died at such a young age has been released.

Benitez died after his very first game with his new Qatari club, El Jaish, and the team reports that the recently deceased athlete did not complain of any health issues following his Sunday debut.

The club says it is awaiting a medical report due Wednesday, and an initial statement from El Jaish also confirmed Chucho Benitez’s death, but did not mention cause:

“The club would like to offer its sincere condolences to the family of the player… Benitez had recently joined the club from Club America for three seasons. The player participated for the first time with the team during yesterday’s match against Qatar Sports Club in the Sheikh Jassem Cup without complaining of any health problems.”

The statement continues:

“His sudden departure is a big shock for each member of the technical and administrative staff. He was a player that over the short period he was here was regarded for his high moral character.”

A private plane will transport Benitez’s body, and the Ecuador Football Federation’s president Luis Chiriboga says:

“The Ecuador Football Federation, in coordination with the Ministry of Sport, is in the process of contracting a private plane. Everything has already been sorted to bring home the remains of Chucho Benitez.”

Benitez’s father, Ermen, also commented, and will be traveling with his son’s body:

“As a parent I am a bit calm because of God’s grace. God says that life goes on, but inside I am a little hurt. How will this be for his wife or his mother who are living in Italy and for his grandmother who is living in Quito.”

While Chucho Benitez’s cause of death was not immediately apparent, it was reported that the soccer star passed a physical on July 4.