RIP... To Another Antonio

Antonio José Puerta Pérez (26 November 1984 – 28 August 2007) was a Spanish international football midfielder. He played for Sevilla FC in La Liga. Affected with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, he died on 28 August 2007, three days after suffering a series of cardiac arrests during a league game against Getafe CF on 25 August 2007.

A natural left-footer, Puerta joined Sevilla as a boy and spent a total of 14 years at the club, growing up at the club's acclaimed youth system alongside other players such as Sergio Ramos, Jesús Navas, Alejandro Alfaro and Kepa Blanco. He played on the left side of midfield, although he did occasionally fill in at left back. His impressive performances earned him international recognition and reported interest from Arsenal, Manchester United and Real Madrid.

Puerta had been capped once by the Spanish national side, making his debut on October 6, 2006, against Sweden in a qualification match for the 2008 UEFA European Football Championship. He was also capped for Spain U-21.

Puerta died Tuesday of "multiple organ failure stemming from prolonged cardiac arrest" and subsequent coronary problems.

Puerta lost consciousness and fell near his own goal Saturday in the 31st minute, but was able to walk off minutes later after being treated by team doctors. Doctors said he had a heart attack in the locker room and at least one more in the emergency room of a Seville hospital.

He is survived by his girlfriend, who is expecting their first child. As a result of Antonio Puerta's death, Sevilla's UEFA Champions League qualifier against AEK Athens was postponed. The club have also announced that a one-minute silence will be respected before every La Liga match on the weekend of September 1/2. Sevilla's European Super Cup game with AC Milan on 31 August went ahead as a tribute to Antonio Puerta.