Former top-flight footballer Bruno Bentancor has died at age 22 after suffering a sudden heart attack. The Uruguayan forward, a league title winner with Peñarol, suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest in the early hours of Wednesday, July 22.
Club Pays Tribute
Bentancor, affectionately known as 'Bola', was playing for Deportivo Italiano in the third tier of Uruguayan football. A club spokesperson said: "Our player, yes, our player, Bruno Bentancor, has just passed away. Bola, you will live on in every goal celebration, in every embrace, and in every heart of this club."
The striker had recently returned home after a trial at Argentine side Deportivo Riestra, but was not offered a permanent deal.
Career Highlights
Bentancor began his career at second-division side Fénix before joining Peñarol's youth ranks. He made his first-team debut in 2023 at age 18 and played 14 matches. Loan spells followed at Everton in Chile, where he scored his only professional goal, plus Rentistas and Cerro. He also had a stint at Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates, documented in a viral TikTok video, and briefly played for Cerrito before joining Deportivo Italiano. He played four games for the Montevideo side, scoring two goals.
Football Community Mourns
Peñarol led tributes, saying: "We deeply regret the death of Bruno Bentancor, who defended our colours in the 2023 season as part of the title-winning squad. Our deepest condolences to his family, friends and Deportivo Italiano." Everton of Chile, Cerro, Montevideo City Torque and the Uruguayan players' union also issued statements of sympathy. Former teammate Ignacio Sosa posted a childhood photo and wrote: "Anyone who knew you knows the heart you had and what a good person you always were."
Initial information indicates Bentancor had no known previous heart problems. Authorities are investigating the cause of the sudden death.
