Corner framemidfielder who played with Ecuador’s under-20 team and with MLS FC Cincinnatidied after remaining in critical condition for more than a month following a serious road accident in early October, the Ecuadorian Football Federation reported Tuesday. He was 22 years old. In a statement, the federation highlighted that Angulo “with his talent and dedication defended the colors of our country” and described him as “not only an exceptional player but a great teammate”.
The death occurred Monday evening in a public hospital in the north center of the capital. Angulo found himself in a critical situation after a serious road accident on October 7 on the General Rumiñahui highway which connects the capital to the southern valleys. Roberto Cabezas, his former youth team teammate, also died in the event, the federation reported Tuesday.
The midfielder successfully played for the club Liga de Quito, on loan from MLS FC Cincinnatiwhere he had a contract for several more seasons. La Liga de Quito, Independiente del Valle, Aucas and Barcelona, among other Ecuadorian clubs, expressed their condolences and emotional messages posted on social media. La Liga de Quito announced that “with deep pain and sadness, we regret to announce the death of our beloved player” and added that “his departure is an irreparable loss that will leave an indelible mark in our hearts “. Independiente del Valle, the team where Angulo trained and debuted as a professional, said that “time does not erase the pain, but it does not erase the affection either.”
Mourning for Marco Angulo
Angulo played his last match on October 6 before the fatal accident in Ecuador. The player was hospitalized for several weeks in intensive care before dying and suffered several operations, including a decompressive craniectomy. “You will always be in our hearts, dear friend,” expressed the University Sports League of Ecuador, sharing a video of Angulo on social media: “Fly high Marco.”
FC Cincinnati, the club with which he had a contract in the American MLS, also showed its grief following the death of the player. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Marco: a husband and father, a brother and a son, a friend and teammate,” the club said in a statement.
“He was a happy and kind young man who lit up every room he entered. Our entire club mourns this tragedy, and we think and pray for his family. “He was a beloved member of the FC Cincinnati family and will be missed.” A Marco Angulo who played twice for the Ecuadorian national team, in friendly matches against Iraq and Australia, and many others in official matches with the lower categories of his national team.
Major League Soccer mourns the tragic passing of Marco Angulo.
Marco was a talented young midfielder for FC Cincinnati last season, helping the club win the Supporters’ Shield before continuing his development on loan with LDU Quito in his native Ecuador.
During this… pic.twitter.com/vdpAY5XcAd
– Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 12, 2024
