Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has opened up about the profound loss of his Sevilla teammate Antonio Puerta, who tragically died at 22 after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch in 2007. In a poignant interview with The Sun on August 5, 2025, Maresca, now 45, reflected on the devastating moment that shook the football world. When asked who he’d most like to share one of his favorite Portagas No. 2 cigars with, Maresca didn’t hesitate: “I lost a teammate inside the pitch. So if I could, I would like a cigar with him.”

The incident occurred during Sevilla’s La Liga match against Getafe on August 25, 2007, at the Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium. Maresca, then 27, was playing alongside Puerta when the young midfielder collapsed 35 minutes into the game. Teammates, including Ivica Dragutinović and Andrés Palop, rushed to prevent Puerta from swallowing his tongue. He briefly recovered, walking to the dressing room, only to collapse again. Despite medical efforts, Puerta was rushed to Virgen del Rocío hospital, where he died three days later on August 28 from multiple organ failure due to arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, a hereditary heart condition, per The Guardian. Maresca, who sat next to Puerta in the dressing room, later honored him with a tattoo and wore his No. 16 shirt.

Puerta’s death sent shockwaves through football, prompting FIFA to mandate resuscitation rooms in World Cup qualifier stadiums, as noted by Levante-EMV. Sevilla retired Puerta’s No. 16 jersey, though it was controversially worn by others later. Maresca’s emotional connection to Puerta, a Sevilla youth product who helped the club win two UEFA Cups, remains evident. “It’s a memory that stays with you,” he told The Sun, a sentiment echoed by his decision to dedicate his cigar-sharing moment to Puerta.

Fans on X have lauded Maresca’s vulnerability, with posts like, “Enzo’s tribute to Puerta is so moving,” and “That loss clearly shaped him.” Now leading Chelsea, Maresca carries Puerta’s memory into his coaching, emphasizing resilience and team unity. His time at Sevilla, where he also met his wife and had his first son, shaped his career, as detailed by premierleague.com. Puerta’s legacy endures, with Sevilla’s 2007 UEFA Super Cup match against AC Milan played in his honor, players wearing his name on their jerseys.

Maresca’s tribute underscores the enduring pain of losing a friend and the fragility of life, resonating with football fans worldwide who remember Puerta’s tragic loss.