shaolinpunk
[Insert witty title here]
Cardiac arrest - very sad.
He'd only recently joined a new side
He'd only recently joined a new side
Christian 'Chucho' Benitez (former B'ham striker) dies aged 27
- Thread starter shaolinpunk
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Ninja Elephant
Doctor Elephant
- Feb 16, 2009
- 18,855
He was linked with a move back to the Premier League this summer! Shocking news. 
Grombleton
Surrounded by <div>s
- Dec 31, 2011
- 7,356
BBC site says he died in a car crash. Very sad, and at what should have been the peak of his career. RIP.
James Bond's body double
Well-known member
How very sad RIP.
Simon Morgan
New member
Good grief! I remember him. Played for Brum in that one very good season they had quite recently. Very sad
Uncle Spielberg
Well-known member
Former Birmingham striker Christian Benitez has died at the age of 27.
Former Birmingham striker Christian Benitez has died at the age of 27.
The Ecuador international, who had just joined Qatari side El Jaish Sports Club, spent the 2009-10 season on loan at St Andrew's from Mexican side Santos Laguna.
Benitez, who won 58 caps for his country, played in El Jaish's 2-0 win over Qatar Sports Club on Sunday.
Benitez fact file
Christian Benitez
•Born: 1 May, 1986
•Position: Striker
•Club record: Scored only four goals while on loan at Birmingham in 2009-10. But proved himself to be one of the leading strikers in Mexican football during spells at Santos Laguna and Club America, with his recent form earning him a big money move to Qatar's El Jaish
•International record: Followed in the footsteps of his father by representing Ecuador, winning 58 caps and playing at the 2006 World Cup
He returned to Santos Laguna in 2010 after Birmingham opted against a permanent deal for him.
El Jaish, who signed Benitez, also known as 'Chucho', on 6 July, confirmed the news but the official cause of his death is unclear.
Their statement said: "The club would like to offer its sincere condolences to the family of the player.
"Benitez had recently joined the club from Club America for three seasons. The player participated for the first time with the team during yesterday's match against Qatar Sports Club in the Sheikh Jassem Cup without complaining of any health problems.
"His sudden departure is a big shock for each member of the technical and administrative staff. He was a player that over the short period he was here was regarded for his high moral character."
Birmingham will mark the player's death ahead of Saturday's Championship match against Watford at St Andrew's.
A statement from the club said: "The thoughts of all associated with the club are with Chucho's family and friends at this very sad time.
"The Ecuador international was an immensely popular character during his time at the club."
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Lee Carsley, who was a team-mate of Benitez at Birmingham, told BBC Sport: "It's devastating news for his family and I'm sure Birmingham City will want to pay their respects.
"I remember he had outstanding ability, was very quick and was a bit of a free spirit.
"He had a big personality and he burst on to the scene when he came on at Old Trafford [as a substitute against Manchester United in August 2009] and caused lots of problems. His ability - and goalscoring ability - was there to see.
"But he didn't really fulfil his potential at Birmingham - it was difficult because of the way Birmingham played.
"He was a popular player in the changing room, he got a grasp of the Brummie accent quite quickly and he was popular with everyone. It is sad to lose anyone like this."
Benitez's former Birmingham team-mate Craig Gardner, now at Sunderland, tweeted: "Cannot believe Christian Benitez has died.
"I had the pleasure to play with him. He was a top bloke. My thoughts go out to his family."
Benitez scored four goals in 36 appearances during his time in England and came to prominence during the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
The son of Ermen Benitez, one of Ecuador's all-time leading goalscorers, Benitez left Santos Laguna for Club America, another Mexican side, in 2011.
Former Birmingham striker Christian Benitez has died at the age of 27.
The Ecuador international, who had just joined Qatari side El Jaish Sports Club, spent the 2009-10 season on loan at St Andrew's from Mexican side Santos Laguna.
Benitez, who won 58 caps for his country, played in El Jaish's 2-0 win over Qatar Sports Club on Sunday.
Benitez fact file
Christian Benitez
•Born: 1 May, 1986
•Position: Striker
•Club record: Scored only four goals while on loan at Birmingham in 2009-10. But proved himself to be one of the leading strikers in Mexican football during spells at Santos Laguna and Club America, with his recent form earning him a big money move to Qatar's El Jaish
•International record: Followed in the footsteps of his father by representing Ecuador, winning 58 caps and playing at the 2006 World Cup
He returned to Santos Laguna in 2010 after Birmingham opted against a permanent deal for him.
El Jaish, who signed Benitez, also known as 'Chucho', on 6 July, confirmed the news but the official cause of his death is unclear.
Their statement said: "The club would like to offer its sincere condolences to the family of the player.
"Benitez had recently joined the club from Club America for three seasons. The player participated for the first time with the team during yesterday's match against Qatar Sports Club in the Sheikh Jassem Cup without complaining of any health problems.
"His sudden departure is a big shock for each member of the technical and administrative staff. He was a player that over the short period he was here was regarded for his high moral character."
Birmingham will mark the player's death ahead of Saturday's Championship match against Watford at St Andrew's.
A statement from the club said: "The thoughts of all associated with the club are with Chucho's family and friends at this very sad time.
"The Ecuador international was an immensely popular character during his time at the club."
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Lee Carsley, who was a team-mate of Benitez at Birmingham, told BBC Sport: "It's devastating news for his family and I'm sure Birmingham City will want to pay their respects.
"I remember he had outstanding ability, was very quick and was a bit of a free spirit.
"He had a big personality and he burst on to the scene when he came on at Old Trafford [as a substitute against Manchester United in August 2009] and caused lots of problems. His ability - and goalscoring ability - was there to see.
"But he didn't really fulfil his potential at Birmingham - it was difficult because of the way Birmingham played.
"He was a popular player in the changing room, he got a grasp of the Brummie accent quite quickly and he was popular with everyone. It is sad to lose anyone like this."
Benitez's former Birmingham team-mate Craig Gardner, now at Sunderland, tweeted: "Cannot believe Christian Benitez has died.
"I had the pleasure to play with him. He was a top bloke. My thoughts go out to his family."
Benitez scored four goals in 36 appearances during his time in England and came to prominence during the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
The son of Ermen Benitez, one of Ecuador's all-time leading goalscorers, Benitez left Santos Laguna for Club America, another Mexican side, in 2011.
Paris
Well-known member
RIP. I guess we'll find out how he died in due course. 27 is no age.
Tom Bombadil
Well-known member
Or you could look in the other thread?
Box of Frogs
Zamoras Left Boot
Bladders
Twats everywhere
Phat Baz 68
Get a ****ing life mate !
- Apr 16, 2011
- 5,026
One site has said that it was due to an infected appendix turning into peritonitis which burst killing him.
Another says a car crash.
Very sad RIP
Another says a car crash.
Very sad RIP
Steve Foster
Well-known member
so sad - RIP
Paris
Well-known member
Ok Voroshilov, i'll let you off because you're probably on your period.
dougdeep
New member
Very sad. RIP
dougdeep
New member
Threads.
- Aug 7, 2003
- 8,094
Ecuador striker Christian "Chucho" Benitez has passed away after complications relating to appendicitis.
Ecuador striker Christian Benitez, also known as "Chucho", passed away Monday morning, his agent and the national team coordinator have confirmed.
The 27-year-old's sad death is a huge shock, and has come about after complications relating to appendicitis, according to his father-in-law. The disease then became peritonitis before leading to respiratory arrest.
Benitez played for El Nacional and Santos Laguna in his career before a season on loan at Birmingham City in the Premier League, before returning to Mexico with Club America before joining El Jaish in the Qatari league. He also played at the 2006 World Cup for his country, picking up 58 caps in his career.
The highly-talented striker's surprise death will come as a huge blow to football. Antonio Valencia, a close friend of the striker, took to Twitter earlier to tweet his condolences to his family and mourn his death as reports began to filter through, which were confirmed by the player's club, agent, and father-in-law.
Ecuador striker Christian Benitez, also known as "Chucho", passed away Monday morning, his agent and the national team coordinator have confirmed.
The 27-year-old's sad death is a huge shock, and has come about after complications relating to appendicitis, according to his father-in-law. The disease then became peritonitis before leading to respiratory arrest.
Benitez played for El Nacional and Santos Laguna in his career before a season on loan at Birmingham City in the Premier League, before returning to Mexico with Club America before joining El Jaish in the Qatari league. He also played at the 2006 World Cup for his country, picking up 58 caps in his career.
The highly-talented striker's surprise death will come as a huge blow to football. Antonio Valencia, a close friend of the striker, took to Twitter earlier to tweet his condolences to his family and mourn his death as reports began to filter through, which were confirmed by the player's club, agent, and father-in-law.