The Portuguese football community is in mourning following the death of 25-year-old midfielder Quévin Castro, who collapsed during a pre-season friendly match between Real Sport Clube and Estrela da Amadora at the Estádio das Seixas in Malveira, in the district of Lisboa, according to multiple sports reports covering the tragic incident.
Tragedy Strikes During a Pre-Season Friendly in Lisboa
Quévin Castro collapsed just ten minutes into the match on Saturday, as reported by regional sports coverage. Medical staff from both clubs rushed onto the pitch to administer emergency treatment, deploying a defibrillator in an attempt to revive the player. The Instituto Nacional de Emergencias Médicas (INEM) was called to the scene, and Castro was transported to a nearby hospital, where his death was subsequently confirmed. The match was immediately suspended and later canceled.
Clubs and Governing Bodies Express Grief
The Lisbon Football Association issued a statement describing the event as a tragic moment for Portuguese football, offering condolences to the player’s family and the entire Real Sport Clube organization. Real Sport Clube, based in Massamá on the outskirts of Lisboa, released a formal statement confirming the loss of their player and expressing profound sorrow. The club noted that Castro was an integral part of their family who left an indelible mark on everyone he encountered on and off the pitch. Condolences were also shared publicly by the president of the Liga Portugal and the Portuguese Players’ Union.
A Career Spanning Portugal and English Football
Castro held dual Portuguese and English nationality and spent a significant portion of his career playing in the English football pyramid. He joined Real Sport Clube during the summer transfer window after playing for Eastbourne Borough in the National League South. Earlier in his career, he spent time with the youth and senior setups of several English clubs, including West Bromwich Albion—where he arrived as a teenager in 2021 and made a first-team appearance in the League Cup against Arsenal, alongside Championship appearances—as well as Chelsea’s Under-23 side, Notts County, Gateshead, and York City. Several of his former English clubs released statements honoring his memory following the news.
