The historic scorer of the Panama National Team and 2018 World Cup winner in Russia
Luis "Matador" Tejada
died this Sunday at the age of 41, due to a possible heart attack while playing a match in a veterans' soccer league.
"It was a cardiac arrest. He changed his mind and left the game. Off the field he fainted and was taken by ambulance to the Santa Librada polyclinic (on the outskirts of Panama City), where he was pronounced dead," he confirmed
. a source close to the former professional soccer player told the international agency EFE while he was transferred to the hospital.
"Matador", as the Panamanian player was known, remained active in the world of soccer despite having been professionally retired since 2019, like several former players.
Currently he participated in a league for veterans over 40 years of age.
Tejada, who retired from the Central American National Team in May 2019, played 108 games with the national team in which he scored
43 goals
, which ranks him alongside
Blas Pérez
as the 'Roja' top scorer.
With the National Team he also added individual awards as scorer in the Gold Cup (three goals) and most valuable player in the tournament in which Panama finished runner-up.
He was remembered for the Chilean against Mexico on March 30, 2005 in a Qualifying match for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, but his most recent contribution to the National Team was his assistance to Román Torres, on October 10, 2017, to score the qualifying goal for Russia 2018.
Peru, your other home
At the international level, the player shone during his time in Peruvian football when he played with Juan Aurich, Universitario de Perú, Sports Boys and Pirata FC.
Precisely with Aurich he was champion of the First Division in Peru in 2011 and that same year he was the top scorer (17 goals) and in 2016 he made the team all stars of the decentralized championship.
Tejada also played for the Mexican clubs Toluca and Tiburones Rojos.
In Colombia he played for Envigado, América de Cali, Once Caldas, Millonarios, Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates and in Panama he finished his career with Plaza Amador, Herrera FC and Club Deportivo Universitario.
The reactions of the football world
The Panamanian Football Federation, in its X account, issued a mournful note this Sunday for the death of the player.
"Historical scorer for the Panama National Team, a fundamental piece in the qualification for our first FIFA World Cup 2018 and synonymous with the development and evolution of football in our country
," the statement highlights.
"We express our most sincere condolences to his family and to the entire Panamanian football and sports family in general
," adds the note from the Panamanian federation.
The Association of Professional Soccer Players of Panama (Afutpa) on its Instagram account points out "rarely does an athlete leave as much as Luis "Matador" Tejada. The Association of Professional Soccer Players of Panama ponders the incalculable legacy he left in a generation that inspired , towards a path of sport and achievements, managing to guide youth towards healthy and prosperous paths".
His strike partner in the Panama National Team, Blas Pérez, also reacted on his X account:
"I don't believe it, my partner left me
. "
The clubs of the Panamanian Soccer League (LPF) also reacted on their networks, after the death of the player.
"Luis Carlos Tejada Hansell has died at the age of 41. Legend of Panamanian soccer and one of the most important players in the history of Central American soccer, a key piece in the historic qualification of the Canaleros for Russia 2018. My most sincere condolences to his family and friends and for all my people from Panama
," said journalist Alexis Martín, known as "Mister Chip," on his social networks.