Marcelo Bravo


Marcelo René Bravo is a former Argentine football midfielder who retired at the age of 21 after discovering that he suffered from a cardiovascular hypertrophy. He played 50 games with Vélez Sársfield, being a key member of the 2005 Clausura winning squad; and played for the Argentine U-20 national team. Bravo's illness is similar to the one that cost fellow footballer Antonio Puerta's life in 2007.

Playing career

Club

Bravo only played at club level for Vélez Sársfield in the Primera División Argentina. He started his professional career in 2003 and retired in 2006, immediately after the club's doctors discovered his illness. He played 16 games and scored 3 goals in Vélez' 2005 Clausura winning campaign, being a regular on the team's left wing. His last game came during the 2006 Apertura in a 6-0 victory over Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata, where he scored one goal.

International

Bravo was part of the Argentine under-20 squad that came third in the 2005 South American Youth Championship held in Colombia. He was a substitute in a team where, among others, played Lionel Messi.

After football

Immediately after retiring, Vélez Sársfield offered Bravo a position in Miguel Ángel Russo's coaching staff. He then went on to coach in the club's youth divisions.
In an interview given in 2006 he stated:

Honours