PORTUGUESE football has been left in mourning after a seven-year-old academy player died after collapsing in training.

The youngster, who was part of second tier side Boavista's academy, died in hospital in the early hours of Tuesday evening.

Part of the Boavista U8s, the boy suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest during a training session on Tuesday.

He had only just entered the pitch and was still getting up to speed when he collapsed.

Medical staff treated the seven-year-old on the pitch by using a defibrillator, before emergency services later arrived to continue life support.

The rising footballer, who was in his second season at the club, was then transported to Sao Joao Hospital in Porto where he was in a critical condition before passing away.

A heartbreaking statement release

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