Espanyol’s captain, Daniel Jarque, has died after he experienced a heart attack during a training period in Italy with the club. Club doctors and Italian paramedics struggled to revive the 26-year-old without success.

Jarque united Espanyol in 1995 as a 12-year-old, and has been a regular in the Catalan side since he made his debut in 2002. He was called as captain only this summer. According to the club statement, he died a cardiac arrest in the evening.

The doctor carried out CPR on the player and applied a defibrillator. It signed that the arrest was non-responsive. They think the players are destroyed. One minute Daniel Jarque was there with them, and the next he’s gone.

The head of city neighbours Barcelona, Joan Laporta, offered his club’s condolences. They were filled with extreme dismay at this tragic incident. Through their website, they stated how deep they regretted it.

“We are all in mourning. I want to send, on behalf of FC Barcelona, our deepest sympathies to RCD Espanyol for the painful loss of their captain Dani Jarque, and to his family.”

The death of Daniel Jarque will stun Spanish soccer. In 2007, 22-year-old Antonio Puerta passed away after he also had suffered a heart attack whilst playing for Sevilla.

And over the last 10 years, the situation known as “Sudden Death Syndrome” has claimed the lives of professionals and amateurs alike.

There are several theories as to thing causes the syndrome. Some experts think that the players are being pushed to their limits as training techniques have evolved. Others believe that sports drinks have contributed.

While, many consider that players are now taking far too many supplements. It makes their systems cannot hold the medication on top of the high intensity training.

Most sudden deaths in sport root in cardiovascular conditions. The cardiovascular benefits of exercise are well-established, and epidemiology studies recommend that long-term exercise programs may lessen the risk of sudden death.

Watch the video of Daniel Jarque