Footballer, 18, tragically dies during knee surgery as club reveal 'deep sadness'

A young footballer has passed away while undergoing a knee operation. Argentine youngster Camilo Nuin, who was just 18 years old, tragically died while being treated in what is deemed a common surgery.

Nuin, 18, is reported to have gone under the knife in a bid to deal with meniscal and cruciate ligament injuries to restore stability in his joint. But sadly, the teenager was confirmed dead on Wednesday evening by his club, San Telmo, having seen the procedure undertaken at Clinica Espora in Adrogue, Buenos Aires.

The reserve player has not yet seen a cause of death announced, with it being suggested an autopsy will take place when his body is transferred to the La Plata morgue. Many of Nuin's team-mates in the reserve division only learned of the news soon before San Telmo's match against Defensores de Belgrano.

Nuin had been with the club since 2022, having previously enjoyed spells in the academy set-ups of Boca Juniors and Independiente. San Telmo are observing a period of mourning and have offered their support to Nuin's friends and family.

"It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Camilo Ernesto Nuin, a player in our youth and reserve divisions, who was undergoing surgery today," San Telmo said. "The club will remain closed today as a sign of mourning.

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"We join his family, friends, and team-mates in this difficult time and remain at their disposal for anything they may need."

In a statement, the Argentine Football Association said: "The Argentine Football Association, through its president Claudio Tapia and executive committee, expresses its sorrow at the death of Camilo Nuin and extends its condolences to the player's family."

President of the AFA Claudio Tapia posted on X: "A very sad piece of news that shakes the entire football world."

Nuin's father, who shares his name, has since shared with Telenoche the heartbreaking details of how he discovered the player's death. “He went into the operating room, and after an hour or so, they told me things were complicated, and they were resuscitating him," he said.

"I didn't understand, because how could things get complicated? Are you resuscitating a person who's having knee surgery? And then someone else comes out and tells me, 'He's dead'.

"I was in a daze . There are things I don't remember. I saw his mother on the floor. I grabbed the doctor and asked him what happened, why. I don't even remember the answers. Then I asked if I could see him. I saw him, I was with him, I hugged him, I kissed him , I promised him things he would have asked me to promise him, regarding his sister and his grandparents."

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