Antonio Puerta

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Puerta's connection to Sevilla was absolute; he joined as a boy and never played for another professional club. His breakthrough came on 21 March 2004, making his La Liga debut in a 1–0 home win against Málaga, coming on as a substitute in the 86th minute. By the 2005–06 season, he was a first-team staple, etching his name into history on 1 December 2005 during a UEFA Cup group stage match against Zenit Saint Petersburg. In that match, he scored the opening goal in the 63rd minute, with Javier Saviola netting the winner in the 88th minute to secure a 2–1 victory. This performance was part of a historic fifteen-month run where Sevilla collected five titles, including the 2007 UEFA Cup final against Espanyol, where Puerta played the full 120 minutes and scored in the penalty shootout. Despite reported interest from Arsenal, Manchester United, and Real Madrid, all bids were rejected as he remained loyal to his boyhood club.

In Their Own Story

The defining tragedy of Puerta's life occurred on 25 August 2007 during Sevilla's first La Liga fixture of the 2007–08 season against Getafe at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium. After only 35 minutes, he collapsed in the penalty area, losing consciousness due to a cardiac arrest. Teammates Ivica Dragutinović and Andrés Palop immediately rushed to his side as medical staff followed. Although resuscitated on the pitch and able to walk to the dressing room initially, he collapsed again inside. He was transported by ambulance to Virgen del Rocío hospital for further cardiopulmonary resuscitation but suffered irreversible brain damage and multiple organ failure. Three days later, on 28 August 2007 at 14:30, Puerta died. His girlfriend was expecting their first child at the time. The aftermath saw a massive outpouring of grief; players from rivals Real Betis attended his funeral, and FIFA subsequently ordered resuscitation rooms in all World Cup qualifier stadiums.

Reader's Guide

Following Puerta's death, Sevilla FC retired his number 16 shirt with a special provision: if his son, Aitor Antonio (born 22 October 2007), ever played for the club, he could wear it. Due to Royal Spanish Football Federation rules limiting squad numbers to 1–25, David Prieto wore the number in 2007–08 as a tribute, though later only youth products were allowed to use it. In 2016, the number was controversially given to Federico Fazio, but in 2017 it was awarded to Puerta's close friend Jesús Navas upon his return. Tributes included postponing the UEFA Champions League qualifier against AEK Athens until 3 September and holding a one-minute silence before league matches on 1–2 September 2007. The UEFA Super Cup against A.C. Milan on 31 August proceeded with all 22 players wearing 'PUERTA' on their jerseys and black armbands. In early 2010, a statue was erected at the club's José Ramón Cisneros Palacios sporting facilities.

Did You Know?

• Puerta scored the opening goal in the 63rd minute of the 2005–06 UEFA Cup group stage match against Zenit Saint Petersburg on 1 December 2005, with Javier Saviola scoring the winner in the 88th minute.