Ecuadoreans mourn striker Benitez

2 August 2013 Last updated at 13:29 ET Fans were allowed to stand a few seconds near Benitez’s coffin Thousands of Ecuadoreans are saying their last goodbye to the football star Christian Benitez, in a sporting arena in the capital, Quito.

Benitez, who died of heart problems in Qatar on Monday, played in Mexico and Britain as well as for Ecuador’s national team.

Fans started queuing in the early hours of the morning shortly after the arrival of their idol’s body on Friday.

President Rafael Correa is expected to pay his respects at the end of Friday.

Preliminary results from an autopsy conducted in Qatar suggest that a previously undetected heart condition was to blame for Benitez’s death, Ecuadorean media say.

The body of Benitez was flown in from Qatar by charter flight and arrived early on Friday.

By then, a crowd of hundreds had already gathered at the airport.

‘Destined to die’

Before being driven to the Coliseo Ruminahui sports arena, the body of Benitez was autopsied for a second time at the cemetery where he will be buried on Saturday, in the outskirts of the capital.

“He had a deficiency in one of the coronary arteries, but this could only have been detected after his death. For this coronary condition, he was destined to die, sooner or later. This is what the doctor told me,” Luis Chiriboga, the president of the Ecuadorean Football Association told reporters.

Fans were being allowed only a few seconds to say their goodbye, only friends and relatives were authorised to stay inside the arena.

Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa was expected to mourn the footballer later on Friday.

Christian Benitez’s performances in Ecuador’s team made him a national hero

The Ecuador international, 27, was admitted to hospital with severe stomach pains shortly after making his debut for El Jaish on Sunday.

He died hours later and his club confirmed that “official medical reports stated that the sudden death was caused by heart failure”.

El Jaish said they would cover all costs of returning Benitez’s body to Ecuador.

Benitez, capped 58 times by his country, spent the 2009-10 season on loan at Birmingham from Santos Laguna but returned to the Mexican side when the St Andrew’s club decided not to sign him permanently.

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Ecuadoreans mourn striker Benitez

Christian Benitez dies aged 27

Former Birmingham striker Christian Benitez has died at the age of 27.

The Ecuador international was admitted to hospital with severe stomach pains shortly after making his debut for Qatari side El Jaish on Sunday.

His heart failed hours later, the Ecuador Football Federation said.

Benitez, capped 58 times by his country, spent the 2009-10 season on loan at Blues from Santos Laguna but returned to the Mexican side when they decided not to sign him permanently.

Benitez, also known as ‘Chucho’, had been playing in El Jaish’s 2-0 win against Qatar Sports Club in the Sheikh Jassem Cup.

Born: 1 May, 1986 Position: Striker Club record: Scored only four goals while on loan at Birmingham in 2009-10. But proved himself to be one of the leading strikers in Mexican football during spells at Santos Laguna and Club America, with his recent form earning him a big money move to Qatar’s El Jaish International record: Followed in the footsteps of his father by representing Ecuador, winning 58 caps and playing at the 2006 World Cup His new club, who signed Benitez on 6 July, confirmed the news a few hours later.

Their statement said: “The club would like to offer its sincere condolences to the family of the player.

“Benitez had recently joined the club from Club America for three seasons. The player participated for the first time with the team during yesterday’s match against Qatar Sports Club in the Sheikh Jassem Cup without complaining of any health problems.

“His sudden departure is a big shock for each member of the technical and administrative staff. He was a player that over the short period he was here was regarded for his high moral character.”

The president of the Ecuadorian Football Federation paid an emotional tribute.

“This morning we woke feeling profound pain, a pain that all Ecuadorians share, after losing an extraordinary human being, a son, friend, husband and player,” Luis Chiriboga Acosta said.

He added that the FEF would charter a flight to return the deceased player’s body to Ecuador along with his wife, a process international team-mates such as Manchester United’s Antonio Valencia would help with.

Chiriboga also announced that the main pitch at the national team’s training ground would be named after Benitez.

Birmingham will mark the player’s death ahead of Saturday’s Championship match against Watford at St Andrew’s.

The club said: “The thoughts of all associated with the club are with Chucho’s family and friends at this very sad time.

“The Ecuador international was an immensely popular character during his time at the club.”

Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Lee Carsley, who was a team-mate of Benitez at Birmingham, told BBC Sport: “It’s devastating news for his family and I’m sure Birmingham City will want to pay their respects.

“I remember he had outstanding ability, was very quick and was a bit of a free spirit.

“He had a big personality and he burst on to the scene when he came on at Old Trafford [as a substitute against Manchester United in August 2009] and caused lots of problems. His ability – and goalscoring ability – was there to see.

“But he didn’t really fulfil his potential at Birmingham – it was difficult because of the way Birmingham played.

“He was a popular player in the changing room, he got a grasp of the Brummie accent quite quickly and he was popular with everyone. It is sad to lose anyone like this.”

Benitez’s former Birmingham team-mate Craig Gardner, now at Sunderland, tweeted:  “Cannot believe Christian Benitez has died.

“I had the pleasure to play with him. He was a top bloke. My thoughts go out to his family.”

Benitez scored four goals in 36 appearances during his time in England and came to prominence during the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

The son of Ermen Benitez, one of Ecuador’s all-time leading goalscorers, Benitez left Santos Laguna for Club America, another Mexican side, in 2011.

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Christian Benitez dies aged 27