Marcos Menaldo of Guatemalan outfit Deportivo Marquense has tragically died after suffering a heart attack during a training session on Monday.
The 25-year-old defender had complained he was finding it difficult to breathe during a pre-season session as he geared up for the new campaign alongside his teammates.
The tragedy occurred at the Marquesa de la Ensenada Stadium where Menaldo received emergency CPR treatment on the pitch in San Marcos before being transferred to the Hospital de Especialidades where he died.
A centre-back by trade, Menaldo was a fan favourite due to his efforts during Deportivo's successful second division title win last term, crowned Liga de Ascenso champions in December - coincidentally on the same day as Menaldo's 25th birthday.
Hernan Maldonado, Deportivo's club president, has already addressed the heartbreaking death of his player, telling ESPN digital : "One does not come out of astonishment.
"A young, dynamic and jovial person, this happens to him. It is quite strong and shocking because you lose not only a player, you lose a friend.
"God has his plans and his purposes, but unfortunately we have the death. It was around 11:00 hours that they called me to inform me that Marcos had fainted in training.
"They transferred him to the assistance centre where they did everything possible. But unfortunately, the death was confirmed."
His death is not the first to shock football in recent weeks, nor the first cardiac arrest either.
Croatian footballer Marin Cacic died in similar circumstances before Christmas after a sudden collapse in training.
The 23-year-old was diagnosed with heart failure shortly after being rushed to a nearby hospital.
Similarly to Menaldo, doctors fought tirelessly to save Cacic's life, though their efforts sadly failed and the Croatian was pronounced dead on December, 23.
European football has seen a number of notable players collapse during games over the last 12 months, including Christian Eriksen's cardiac arrest during Denmark's opening game of Euro 2020.
The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder collapsed during the latter stages of the first-half of Denmark's contest with Finland.
Sheffield United midfielder John Fleck also fell to the turf unchallenged during a recent Championship clash, though he has since returned to action for the Blades.
Manchester United central defender Victor Lindelof had to be replaced last month due to complaining of chest pains during the 1-0 away win over Norwich, but the Swede has also featured since the scare.
Earlier this season, a Champions League clash between Sheriff Tiraspol and Real Madrid saw winger Adama Traore collapse to the turf clutching his chest, before pitch-side medics instantly rushed on to treat the Mali international.