Venezuelan Football Mourns Young International Yimvert Berroterán After Deadly Earthquakes

Venezuelan football is in deep mourning following the tragic death of 18-year-old international Yimvert Berroterán, who was among the victims of recent devastating earthquakes. The Venezuelan Football Federation (FVF) confirmed his passing on Friday, a heart-wrenching farewell to a promising young talent.

The earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, struck the nation on Wednesday, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. Jorge Rodriguez, leader of the Venezuelan National Assembly, has reported that at least 920 people have died and over 3,300 have been injured.

Key facts
| Detail | Information |
|—|—|
| Deceased | Yimvert Berroterán |
| Age | 18 |
| Affiliation | Venezuelan youth international, Universidad Central de Venezuela |
| Event | Deadly earthquakes in Venezuela |
| Confirmed death date | Friday |
| Confirmed earthquake dates | Wednesday |

A Promising Career Cut Short

Berroterán, a forward, had progressed through Venezuela’s youth ranks, representing his country at the Under-15 and Under-17 levels. He featured in the 2025 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, playing a role in Venezuela’s group-stage success. He had recently broken into the senior team of Universidad Central de Venezuela, a top-tier club based in the capital, Caracas, making six appearances.

The FVF issued a statement expressing profound sadness: “Venezuelan football bids a heart-wrenching farewell to a young man who represented our country’s colours with pride, commitment and love. His passing has plunged the entire Vinotinto family into mourning and leaves an indelible mark on all those who shared moments with him both on and off the pitch.” The federation extended its deepest condolences to his family, friends, teammates, and loved ones.

Club and Agency Tributes

Universidad Central de Venezuela also released a statement mourning their “great champion.” The club expressed sincere condolences to Berroterán’s family and loved ones, emphasizing their support during this “irreparable loss.”

Agencia Secasports, Berroterán’s agency, shared their grief: “Our wish was to see you grow, to move forward together, to talk about your great achievements and the Venezuelan pride that emerged from La Guaira whenever the world spoke of you. But life is sometimes hard to explain, and your untimely passing fills us with immeasurable sadness.” The agency extended heartfelt condolences, weeping at the thought of him joining “so many other dreamers who, sadly, fell victim to this natural disaster.”

The FVF has been actively involved in social media appeals to locate missing persons following the earthquakes, confirming when individuals have been found. The entire nation of Venezuela and its football community are united in grief.

This tragedy underscores the devastating impact of natural disasters on communities, cutting short promising lives and leaving a void in the sporting world. For FootballGames10 readers, this event highlights the vulnerability of athletes and communities to unforeseen circumstances, even amidst the passion and dedication of the beautiful game.

Source: The Athletic Football – https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7398995/2026/06/26/yimvert-berroteran-venezuela-earthquake-death/

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