Egypt international Ahmed Refaat has died aged 31, his club Modern Sport said on Saturday, following a heart attack he had in March during an Egyptian Premier League.
Refaat was placed in an intensive care unit on March 11 after collapsing in the 88th minute of Modern Future's league match against Al-Ittihad Alexandria.
The striker, who was fitted with a pacemaker, was discharged a month later and continued to receive treatment.
"Modern Future FC announces the death of Ahmed Refaat, first team and Egyptian national team player, as a result of a serious deterioration in his health," the club said in a statement.
"He was transferred to the hospital to die after an uphill journey of struggle following the health crisis that occurred on March 11 2024."
Egypt captain and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah paid tribute to his teammate Refaat, who played 7 times for the national team and scored two goals.
"May God continue to bless his family and all his loved ones," Salah wrote on X. (Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City, editing by Ed Osmond)