1 week Ago By Daniel Hepburn
Heartfelt tributes from friends, teammates and family have poured in for 21-year-old Peruvian footballer, Helar Gonzales Altamirano, after he tragically passed away following an on-pitch collision with the opposition goalkeeper. The incident happened in the 70th minute of the Copa Peru match between Real Titan Nc and Defensor Nueva Cajamarvca when Altamirano got unintentionally clipped in the head when he and the goalkeeper challenged for the same long ball. He fell to the ground immediately and players from both camps instantly expressed their concerns for three minutes until medical staff were able to stretcher him off to the side of the pitch, where an ambulance was waiting.
He was taken to a hospital in the northern Peruvian city of Moyobamba. The youngster’s brother, Eliceo, continued asking for people to pray for Helar on Tuesday – but he later confirmed, on the same day, that he had sadly lost his fight for life, attributing his death to the rupture of an artery in his sibling’s head. Real Titan NC, Helar’s club, paid tribute in a statement: “Rest in peace friend.
We will remember you for your love of football and your family. You leave us with great pain. Great strength to your family at this difficult time.
” “They are not alone because Titan is with them and the football family is with them.” Per Mail Online, Helar’s father Jose, who was in attendance when his son and the goalkeeper clashed, thanked everyone for their support . He told a local TV station: “I would like to thank everyone for their support with this terrible pain that we’re experiencing.
” “Helar wanted to be a great footballer from a very young age and was always talking about going as far in the sport as he could," his father continued before adding, "I know his team are going to dedicate all their future achievements to him." "I thought at first when I saw the clash that it was another player and didn’t initially connect that it was Helar. I wanted to go onto the pitch to be nearer to my son when I realised it was him but they wouldn’t let me, and I didn’t see him until we got to the hospital when he was already critical.
” In a short but heartfelt statement on X, the Peruvian Football Federation passed on their ‘deepest condolences’ to those affected by Helar's tragic death. "We regret the death of Helar Gonzales Altamirano,’ the message read. Our deepest condolences to his family, friends and Real Titan Club.
" Helar’s funeral took place on Friday as Titan Nc published live footage of the young footballer’s coffin being taken into a funeral parlour in a white hearse ahead of the wake. To commemorate his passing, a video of his collection of goals over the years was also played..
