Soccer is in mourning after the death of Luis Tejada, who played for the Panama national team, was confirmed on Sunday January 28, 2024.
The so-called ‘Matador’, is a leading figure in his native country since becoming the top scorer of the national team by scoring 43 goals, putting him alongside another great of Panama, Blas Perez.
What did Panama’s top scorer die of?
Luis Carlos Tejada Hansell was born on March 28, 1982 in Panama City. It’s reported that the 41-year-old former striker lost his life after a heart attack during a game in a recreational league where he is from.
Reports state the player felt chest pains prior to the game, and during the match he reportedly fainted. He was immediately taken to hospital for medical attention. However, after several minutes, his death was confirmed.
Luis Matador Tejada is well remembered in Mexico
The striker played in the top Mexican league after wearing the jerseys of the Diablos Rojos of Toluca and the Tiburones Rojos of Veracruz.
In addition, on March 30, 2005, during the CONCACAF qualifying rounds, the Panamanians hosted the Mexican national team at the Rommel Fernández Stadium, on the road to the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
It was the 75th minute when Armando Gun took a throw-in to set up Ricardo Phillips, who gave the ball to Tejada; the ‘Matador’ had his back to the goal, settled it in front of Carlos Salcido and Gonzalo Pineda, and then scored the spectacular equalizer.
It should be noted that Tejada was part of the Panama national team that participated in the Russia 2018 World Cup.