Venezuela youth star dies in quake
The Venezuelan Football Federation (FVF) announced Friday that the 18-year-old national youth team player died during the disaster.
KATHMANDU: Venezuelan football is in mourning after the country’s football federation confirmed the death of promising teenage forward Yimbert Beroteran, who was killed following two powerful earthquakes that have devastated parts of the nation.
The Venezuelan Football Federation (FVF) announced Friday that the 18-year-old national youth team player died during the disaster, expressing profound sorrow over the loss of one of the country’s brightest young talents.
According to local media reports, Beroteran was trapped beneath collapsed debris when the earthquakes struck. Rescue teams recovered his body nearly 24 hours later after an extensive search operation.
The twin earthquakes have claimed more than 900 lives over the past two days, with rescue efforts continuing as authorities search for survivors amid widespread destruction.
Beroteran played for Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV), helping the club secure its first-ever Venezuelan league title last December before lifting the national cup in the same season.
The young striker also represented Venezuela at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar later that month, where the national team advanced to the Round of 32, further cementing his reputation as one of the country’s most promising football prospects.
In a statement, the FVF said Beroteran had represented Venezuela “with pride, dedication and love,” adding that his untimely death had left the entire Venezuelan football family in shock.
The federation extended its deepest condolences to Beroteran’s family, friends, teammates, coaches and supporters, saying his legacy and contribution to Venezuelan football would never be forgotten.
