A tragedy beyond the pitch
Venezuelan football is mourning some of its own after the country was struck by two powerful earthquakes that caused widespread destruction and a rapidly rising death toll.
According to AP, the confirmed death toll had reached 1,430 by Saturday, while families had reported at least 68,900 people missing. Rescue workers and residents continued to search through collapsed buildings in La Guaira, one of the hardest-hit areas.
The disaster has also left a deep mark on the country’s football community, with players, youth prospects and relatives among those killed.
Bello mourns wife who saved their daughter
One of the most heartbreaking stories is that of Héctor “Kike” Bello, a defender for Marítimo de La Guaira, whose wife Andrea died while protecting their young daughter during the collapse of a building.
According to Univision, Bello confirmed her death on social media and wrote about the impossible task now facing him as a father.
“You left us alone in this fight, Mommy, you left me alone with our daughter,” he wrote.
In another message, Bello tried to put words to the sacrifice Andrea made.
“How do I tell my daughter, Andrea? How do I explain to your daughter that you lost your life to save hers, and that I was not there in that moment to do anything? How do I explain it? Give me strength now, because I cannot take any more,” he wrote.
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Their daughter survived after Andrea shielded her with her body.
Trejo’s family found after days of searching
The grief also reached Lucas Trejo, the Argentine footballer who plays for Club Sport Marítimo de La Guaira.
According to People, Trejo’s wife, Yanina Maranella, and their two children, Aarón and Ainhoa, were found dead after days of searching through the rubble.
Trejo had been away from his family when the earthquakes struck. His club and teammates had joined the search effort, but hopes of finding his family alive ended after the bodies were recovered from the collapsed building.
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The loss has prompted tributes across Venezuelan and South American football, with messages of support shared for Trejo and his relatives.
Young footballers among the dead
The Venezuelan Football Federation has also confirmed the deaths of several young players.
According to CiberCuba, at least four footballers had been confirmed dead by Friday, while others were still missing.
Among them was 18-year-old Yimvert Berroterán, a midfielder who had represented Venezuela at youth level. He was found dead in the rubble in La Guaira, alongside his partner, Valentina Sandoval.
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The same report said the federation had also confirmed the deaths of Víctor Palacios, a 14-year-old player from Club Sport San Agustín, Razan Sijaa, an under-18 player at Caracas FC, and Yordelis Pereira, who was part of the Academia Puerto Cabello women’s academy.
According to Infobae, the federation also reported the death of Ricardo Veloz, a teenage player connected to Marítimo La Guaira.
A country searching through the rubble
The scale of the disaster remains difficult to grasp. Families are still searching for missing relatives, rescue teams are working through unstable buildings, and the number of victims may continue to rise.
For Venezuelan football, the tragedy has cut across every level of the game, from senior professionals to children still chasing their first dream in the sport.
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Clubs, teammates and supporters are now left with grief, tributes and the memory of lives taken far too soon.
