On May 6, 26-year-old Dinamo Bucharest and Cameroon midfielder Patrick Ekeng, 26, died after collapsing during a league match. Ekeng fell down seven minutes after coming on as a substitute in the 62nd minute of the match.
ESPN presents other fatal incidents of footballers succumbing to injuries on the field.
Marc-Vivien Foé
June 26, 2003
In the 72nd minute of the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup semifinal between Cameroon and Colombia, Foé collapsed in the centre circle. Despite several attempts to resuscitate him, he passed away soon after. Autopsy reports revealed that his death was caused due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a hereditary condition that increases the risk of death during physical exercise.
Cristiano Junior
December 5, 2004
In the 78th minute of the Federation Cup final between Dempo and Mohun Bagan, Junior collided with Bagan goalkeeper Subrata Pal, while attempting to score his second goal. He collapsed soon after and was rushed to a hospital. Junior, then the highest paid footballer in India, was pronounced dead on arrival.
Antonio Puerta
August 25, 2007
During Sevilla FC's first La Liga match of the 2007-08 season, Puerta collapsed and lost consciousness in the penalty area due to cardiac arrest. He died on August 28, two days after being admitted to an ICU. His doctor reported that Puerta had suffered multiple organ failures and irreversible brain damage as a result of prolonged cardiac arrests.
Hrvoje Ćustić
March 29, 2008
Croatian midfielder Custic, 24, suffered from severe head injuries after colliding with a concrete wall, placed around three metres from the sideline, while playing for NK Zadar against HNK Cibalia. He was trying a win a loose ball during, but collided with an opposing player, hitting his head on the wall. He succumbed to his injuries on April 3.
Jumadi Abdi
March 7, 2009
In a match between PKT Bontang and Persela, Abdi collided with opponent Deny Tarkas. The collision resulted in severe stomach and intestinal injuries, leading to his death eight days later, on March 15.
Víctor Hugo Ávalos
April 2, 2009
After scoring a goal on his debut in Villa Florida, Ávalos suffered a heart attack, being afflicted by several cardiac arrests, leading to his death at the age of 37.
Piermario Morosini
April 14, 2012
The Italian footballer lost his life while representing Livorno. Morsini suffered from a cardiac arrest on the 31st minute of a Serie B match in Pescara. He was rushed to the hospital but reports indicated that he had died before reaching there.
Albert Ebossé Bodjongo
August 23, 2014
Cameroon's Bodjongo, playing for JSK, was struck on the head with a projector by angry fans after his team lost 2-1 at home to USM Alger. Bodjongo suffered from a traumatic brain injury and died soon after.
Peter Biaksangzuala
October 20, 2014
The 23-year-old Indian footballer succumbed to injuries after damaging his spinal cord while attempting a somersault goal celebration. Biaksangzuala was playing for Bethlehem Vengthlang FC against Chanmari West FC in the Mizoram Premier League.
Gregory Mertens
April 27, 2015
Mertens suffered from a cardiac arrest during a reserve game for Lokeren. He was rushed to the hospital after which he went into a coma. He passed away two days later on the 30 April.