Portuguese footballer Quevin Castro has died at the age of 25 after collapsing during a friendly between Real Sport Clube and Estrela da Amadora.

The midfielder fell unconscious around ten minutes into Saturday’s match at Estádio das Seixas in Malveira, near Lisbon. Medical staff from both clubs immediately entered the pitch and attempted to resuscitate him.

A defibrillator carried by Estrela da Amadora’s medical team was used before Portugal’s emergency medical service, INEM, transported Castro to hospital. His death was confirmed after his arrival.

The story gained widespread international attention after football account Live Here We Go described the incident in an Instagram post.

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Emergency treatment began immediately

According to the detailed account published by A Bola, the medical departments of both teams responded as soon as Castro collapsed.

The friendly was stopped, and the attempts to save the midfielder continued before he was transferred to hospital. Neither Real Sport Clube nor the other official bodies involved have announced a medical cause for the collapse.

Real Sport Clube later described Castro as an integral member of its sporting family who had made a lasting impression on people both inside and outside football.

Estrela da Amadora also sent condolences to his family, friends and everyone connected with Real Sport Clube.

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A career with deep English connections

Although Castro had returned to his native Portugal, much of his football career had been spent in England.

He joined West Bromwich Albion in 2021 and made his first team debut against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup. He later made his league debut in February 2022 and scored in West Brom’s Premier League Cup final victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The midfielder subsequently had loan spells with Burton Albion, Notts County and Gateshead. He also represented York City, King’s Lynn, Chippenham Town, Cambridge City and Eastbourne Borough before signing for Real Sport Clube.

In its official tribute to its former player, West Brom announced a period of applause in the 25th minute of its Championship match against Burnley. The players also wore black armbands.

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York City’s official record of Castro’s time with the club shows that he made 16 appearances in all competitions and scored against Boreham Wood during the 2023/24 season.

Remembered in Portugal and England

Castro had joined Real Sport Clube from Eastbourne Borough before the new season. The Portuguese English midfielder had previously spent time with Linda-a-Velha’s youth teams and Varzim B before developing his senior career in England.

The Portuguese public broadcaster RTP reported that Real Sport Clube announced his death with “deep sadness and immense sorrow”.

For West Brom supporters, Castro will be remembered as the young midfielder who earned his opportunity against Arsenal and helped the club win a Premier League Cup title. For Real Sport Clube, he had already become something more personal, a member of the club’s family whose impact extended far beyond his appearances on the pitch.

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