Goalkeeper tragically dies aged just 19 after suffering head injury in Spanish league game

A teenage goalkeeper has died after suffering a blow to the head during a during a Spanish league match.

Raul Ramirez Osorio, 19, was given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation by his manager and revived by a nursing student watching the game after going into cardiac arrest on the pitch on Saturday. He was rushed critically injured to Marques de Valdecilla Hospital in the northern Spanish city of Santander.

But it was confirmed on Monday that the footballer had lost his fight for life two days after being admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit.

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Raul’s side Colindres, which plays in Spain’s fifth-tier Tercera Federation league, said on social media while the young goalkeeper was still fighting for his life in hospital following the incident during their match against Revilla: “We want to send a lot of strength to our goalkeeper Raul Ramírez and his whole family. During yesterday's match against Revilla he suffered a blow for which he is hospitalized in Valdecilla.”

The Royal Cantabrian Football Federation, the regional governing body for the league the two teams play in, said today in an official statement: “The Royal Cantabrian Football Federation regrets to announce that Colindres Sports Club goalkeeper Raul Ramirez is brain dead after an accidental collision during last Saturday's match.

“In the midst of this painful time, and at the express wish of his family, the decision has been made to donate his organs so that others may benefit.

“Cantabrian football mourns the sudden loss of a young man who leaves us too soon, at just 19 years of age. The RFCF has decreed three days of mourning and will observe a minute's silence in his memory at all matches during the next round of fixtures.

“The RFCF sends its sincere condolences to his family, friends and the entire Colindres Sports Club. May Raul rest in peace.”

The incident that led to the teenager’s death happened in the 60th minute of Saturday’s match when he jumped to grab the ball as a cross came in and clashed with a rival forward.

Raul’s manager Rafa de Pena ran onto the pitch when the teenager fell unconscious to the ground and managed to revive him with the help of the nursing student watching the game.

The second cardiac arrest he suffered on the way to hospital worsened the situation. The match was suspended after the incident.

Jose Angel Pelaez, President of the Royal Cantabrian Football Federation, said in an emotional message yesterday before Raul’s death was announced today: “Today we must write about things we never want to write about.

"The entire Royal Cantabrian Football Federation is holding its breath and praying that the young goalkeeper from Colindres Sports Club recovers as soon as possible.

“We send him a hug and all the love in the world to help him overcome the great obstacle that crossed his path yesterday. A big hug to his parents, sister, family and girlfriend. Hang in there, Raul.”