Former Premier League striker Christian Benitez dies suddenly of suspected heart attack aged 27

Former Birmingham City striker
Christian Benitez has tragically died of suspected heart failure at the age of 27.
The Ecuador international's death
comes just a few weeks after his
£10million switch to Qatari side El
Jaish from Mexican team Club
America. As footballers across the world took to Twitter to voice their grief at news of his death, the Ecuadorian Football Federation revealed he was rushed to hospital yesterday with 'severe stomach pain' before he died from a heart attack Twitter
In a statement on its website, the EFA
said: '[Benitez] had severe stomach
pain and was rushed to a hospital
where, after a few hours, suffered
cardio-respiratory arrest, which ended
his life.'
They added: 'The Ecuadorian Football
Federation extends its heartfelt note
of sympathy to the family members,
parents, wife, children and friends of
our striker Cristian Benitez.'
El Jaish also released a statement
confirming the news. It said: 'The club
would like to offer its sincere
condolences to the family of the
player.
'Benitez had recently joined the club
from Club America for three seasons.
'The player participated for the first
time with the team during yesterday's
match against Qatar Sports Club in
the Sheikh Jassem Cup without
complaining of any health problems.
'His sudden departure is a big shock
for each member of the technical and
administrative staff.
'He was a player that over the short
period he was here was regarded for
his high moral character.'
A tweet from Club America read: 'You
left as a champion, you will always be
in our hearts. Rest in Peace Christian
Benitez.'
He was diagnosed with appendicitis,
but - according to his father-in-law
Cleber Chala - this developed into
peritonitis and complications led to a
respiratory arrest.
Mr Chala, who spoke on Ecuadorian
radio and cited by The Mirror , said:
'They called me at 3am to tell me that
they had taken him to hospital as an
emergency due to stomach pains.
'When he arrived, he was not seen to
quickly.
'By the time he was admitted he was
no longer responding. This happened
in Qatar, my daughter is alone there.'
Benitez, nicknamed 'Chucho', was on
loan at St. Andrew's for the 2009-10
season, making 36 appearances for
the Blues. He won 58 caps for
Ecuador, including appearances at the
2006 World Cup.
Manchester United winger Antonia
Valencia led the tributes to his
compatriot. Valencia took to Twitter to
pay his respects, including posting a
touching photo of the pair together.
As tributes for Benitez from around
the game began to pour in, it became
clear that the striker had an impact on
team-mates during his short time in
Birmingham.
Former Blues star Craig Gardner, who
now plays for Sunderland, took to his
Twitter account to register his
condolences, posting: 'Can't believe
Christian Benitez aka chucho has died
had the pleasure to play with him he
was a top bloke. My thoughts go out
to his family.'

Google redesigns Zagat site, releases iOS and Android apps

In an attempt to continue its real-world indexing and the unification of all its services, Google has relaunched Zagat , the dining review and ratings company it acquired in September 2011. Alongside the overhauled Web site are new iOS and Android apps. But most importantly, Zagat is accessible -- for the first time -- with no registration or fees required.
When Zagat was fully integrated into Google's services in May of last year, its Web site still required users to sign in with a Google+ account.
Now with the barriers removed, Google's location-based dining guide is taking aim at the success and wide reach of competitor Yelp -- both on the Web and on mobile devices, considering that Yelp is integrated into Apple's map offering.
The new Zagat is focused on nine U.S. cities, and expansions are planned in the coming months. Residents of cities like San Francisco and New York City now have full access to ratings, reviews, and consumer surveys, in addition to videos, blogs, and curated lists by Zagat's local editors.

Justin Bieber Attends Selena Gomez Birthday Party, Brings Single Rose

They are not together.
Really, truly, Selena Gomez
swears: they are not together.
But that didn't stop Justin Bieber
from attending a 21st birthday
party for Gomez at Revolve
Clothing beach house in Malibu
last night, as the artist arrived
around 9 p.m. for a gypsy-
themed bash.
And he wasn't empty-handed.
"Justin flew in specifically for the
party on a day off from his
tour," an insider tells Us Weekly.
"He wasn't dressed in costume,
but carried a single red rose in
his hand."
Other stars in attended included
Julianne Hough, Nina Dobrev,
Derek Hough, Ashley Benson
and Jaden Smith, with the
onlooker adding that a very
good time was had by all.
"Everybody danced and had a
blast, especially Selena, who was
surrounded by her friends," says
the source, adding that Smith
helped the birthday girl and
Bieber sneak away at one point -
and that they were holding
hands!
Earlier in the week, in an
interview with Good Morning
America, Selena reiterated that
she was single. But added she
would always care about and
protect Bieber.

Raul wants Draxler to join Real Madrid

The Blancos icon has nothing but praise for the Germany international and hopes to see his
former team-mate make the move to the Santiago Bernabeu side in future
Raul is confident that Julian Draxler has a bright future ahead of him and thinks the Schalke star will be ready to
join the likes of Real Madrid within two years.
The 19-year-old had been linked with clubs such as Madrid, Chelsea, Juventus and Manchester City in the past few months, but opted to sign a new deal with Schalke until 2018 in order to continue his development in the Bundesliga.
However, Raul has little doubt that his former team-mate will eventually end up at one of Europe's finest, and
made no secret of his desire to see him don the famous Blancos shirt.
"Julian has a bright future ahead of him. I expect him to make the step to an English or Spanish top club within
one to two years," the Spaniard stated at a press conference.
"And I would obviously prefer it if he were to join Real Madrid rather than Barcelona. I would like to continue
giving him tips and advice."
Draxler is a product of the Schalke youth academy and has already made over 100 official appearances for the
Veltins-Arena outfit.

Suarez still 'very much part of the group' at Liverpool, insists Rodgers

The Reds manager insists the striker remains key to the club's preparations going into the new
Premier League season, despite the ongoing speculation surrounding his future Brendan Rodgers insists Luis Suarez remains “very much a part of the group” at Liverpool despite the striker’s desire to leave the club. The Uruguay international is understood to be preparing to submit a transfer request to force through an exit from Anfield with Arsenal favourites for his signature after lodging a £42 million bid.
Suarez has now joined up with the squad on their current tour, following his participation in the Confederations Cup, and Rodgers is adamant it is vital that Suarez is involved in the club's pre-season preparations. “It is important [Suarez] is very much part of the group,” he told reporters.
"He has still got some way to go [with his fitness]. He is a number of weeks behind the other players. "He is working hard on his conditioning and over the course of time as he gets closer to playing we will build him up to
more minutes on the field."
Suarez will miss the start of the Premier League season after
being handed a 10-match ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic last season and Rodgers is already making contingency plans.
"I also have to consider that our focus over the course of pre-season is for the first game [of the Premier League] and Luis will not be available for the first game,” he added. Liverpool kick off their new campaign at home to Stoke City on August 17.

Lionel Messi wins Goal 50

The Barcelona forward says he is
"very excited" after topping our
annual list of the world's most
outstanding players for the the
third time
Lionel Messi has won the Goal 50
award for the world’s best footballer
after another record-breaking season.
The Argentinian forward claims the
title for the third time in recognition of
an incredible campaign during which
he beat Gerd Muller’s 40-year-old
record of 85 goals scored in a
calendar year.
The 26-year old scored 91 goals in
2012 and increased his total as
Barcelona’s all-time top scorer to 313
goals in all competitions by the end of
the season.
Messi struck in his 19th consecutive La
Liga game in March 2013, becoming
the first footballer in history to score
in consecutive matches against every
team in a major professional league.
After receiving the trophy from Goal's
Barcelona correspondent Pilar Suarez
at the club's training ground, Messi
said: "I'm very excited about this. As
players, we work the entire year to
win honours for the team, we don't
look for the individual awards, but
when they come it's an incentive and
gives us strength to continue on the
same path."
The Goal 50 is regarded as one of the
most credible and respected awards
in sport because it is chosen by the
world’s biggest football website.
Voting takes place at the end of
domestic and international seasons
for the majority of countries.
More than 500 Goal journalists from
around the world vote to select their
top 50 players, giving a truly global
view.
Messi heads this year's list in front of
second-placed Franck Ribery, who
helped European champions Bayern
Munich win an historic treble. Last
year’s winner Cristiano Ronaldo is
third.
Commenting on the results, Graham
Shaw, Editorial Director, said: “Messi
had a spectacular season and it is
incredible to think he has achieved so
much by the age of 26. His award this
year takes him past Cristiano Ronaldo
to a record three Goal 50 titles and
recognises the individual brilliance of
a player who is rightly recognised by
some as the greatest of all time.”

Toyin Aimakhu Places Curse On Critics

Recently wedded actress, Toyin
Aimakhu has really become angry
with her critics who have not stopped
lashing out at her over her marriage
to fellow actor, Niyi Johnson. Since
she walked down the aisle with her
handsome hubby, the pretty actress
has come under criticisms.
While some alleged that she's about
three years older than her husband,
others lambasted her for staging a
low-key wedding ceremony as a
celeb.
Not happy with the negative
comments for her choice of marriage,
the Edo State-born actress has
allegedly placed a curse on her critics
and begged God to make it come to
pass.
She took to twitter to state, "I don’t
understand anymore. You people
will insult us. You will be cursing us
that is just a year, if the marriage
breaks again, you people will be
shouting that we are irresponsible.
Anyways, anyone who places a curse
or say negative words about my
home, God of Abraham, God of God,
Allah will place a curse on them and
all their lives will bring negative
meanings to people."