Professional Soccer Team Doctor Dies Suddenly At 50 Years Old

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Mar 9, 2025 10:17 PM ET

A soccer match had to be called off and postponed mere minutes before kickoff following the sudden death of a team doctor.

Yesterday the Spanish soccer juggernaut FC Barcelona were slated to take on visiting Club Atletico Osasuna when the game was suddenly called off just 15 minutes before the game. Barcelona announced that team doctor Carles Minarro Garcia had suddenly passed away at the age of 50.

“FC Barcelona is deeply saddened to announce the passing of first-team doctor Carles Miñarro Garcia this evening,” the club posted on X after the confusion. "For this reason, the match between FC Barcelona and CA Osasuna has been postponed to a later date.

“The FC Barcelona Board of Directors and all staff extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.”

pic.twitter.com/KMFdEU1UxW
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 8, 2025

The visiting CA Osasuna were respectful of the decision and offered their condolences to Barcelona in a statement of their own.

“Club Atlético Osasuna wishes to express its deepest condolences to the family of Dr. Carles Miñarro Garcia and send a strong embrace to the entire staff of F.C. Barcelona and its fans during this difficult time,” Osasuna said on X.

La Liga, the Spanish first division, similarly offered condolences to Minarro's family and loved ones, along with the club.

“LALIGA would like to express its deepest condolences to (Miñarro’s) family, friends, the club, and its supporters, and shares in their sorrow,” the league said in a statement.

Barcelona's arch-rival Real Madrid CF paid their own respects with a moment of silence prior to their game.

Real Madrid held a moment of silence ahead of their match vs. Rayo Vallecano in memory of Barcelona's first-team doctor Carles Miñarro García, who died unexpectedly on Saturday at 53 years old. They also paid respects to David García de la Loma, a referee in the fourth tier who… pic.twitter.com/I68JaQkyrV
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 9, 2025

Users on social media have also been paying tribute to the doctor:

"A heartfelt tribute to a true member of the Barcelona family," one user remarked.

"May his soul RIP."

"My deepest condolences and sympathy to his family, loved ones, friends, FC Barcelona, and its fans."

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 8: A view shows a FC Barcelona's flag upon the decision to cancel the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and CA Osasuna at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on March 8, 2025. The match was cancelled due to the death of the FC Barcelona's team doctor Carlos Minarro Garcia. (Photo by Adria Puig/Anadolu via Getty Images)Anadolu/Getty Images

The game will be rescheduled.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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