Spain is in deep mourning for former Sevilla defender Antonio Puerta, who passed away, suffering a double heart attack, three days after collapsing in a league game on Saturday. Over 10,000 Spanish fans paid tribute to the Spain international, whose body was taken to Sevilla's home ground Sanchez Pizjuan on Tuesday night. The Primera Liga club received messages of condolences from different parties around Europe, including European champions AC Milan, who will meet Sevilla in the European Super Cup on Friday. Moreover, Sevilla's rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid expressed deep grief for the loss of the promising 22-year old midfielder.
Spain captain Raul Barca announced that 10% of the returns made from their friendly game against Inter Milan on Wednesday will be donated to the research into cardiovascular illnesses, while Real have cancelled their friendly against Sporting Lisbon. "Today is a very sad day for the world of football. In my name and in that of all the team's I want to give my support to the Puerta family, to Sevillismo, to Sevilla CF and all his team mates. I would also like to give our support and anything else we can do to help at their disposal," said Barca captain Carles Puyol. "The tragic outcome has deeply affected us. A friend and a great professional of the football world has left us, and from here at Real Madrid, our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his teammates, his club, and everyone in Sevilla who loves and admires him," said Real captain Raul Gonzalez. Real president Ramon Calderon will lead a delegation from the club that will fly to Seville to attend the player's burial on Wednesday. Raul and Guti as team captains, in addition to Sergio Ramos, Julio Baptista and Javier Saviola as former teammates of Puerta, have all traveled to Seville with the Real chairman.
