Uruguayan forward Mathías Acuña was found dead in his hotel room in Ambato, Ecuador. Acuña, aged 32, was discovered on January 4 in circumstances that initial investigations suggest point to suicide, according to Ecuadorian police.
Acuña had recently rejoined Ecuadorian Serie A side Mushuc Runa for pre-season training ahead of the 2025 season after a stint with Greek team Lamia FC. Upon his arrival in Ambato on January 3, he expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming season, stating, "I come happy. I am waiting for the first training session so that we have a good preparation, which will bring us closer to the goal that the team and the club want, namely to have a good international tournament and also a good local tournament," as reported by El Mercurio.
The discovery was made when Acuña's representative, Wilson Florín Johan Adhemar, went to his room to have lunch together around midday. After knocking several times without response, Adhemar entered the room to find Acuña hanging inside the closet using a bedsheet. Hotel staff were alerted, and paramedics from the Totoras Health Center arrived promptly but confirmed that Acuña was without vital signs upon their arrival, according to Expreso.
Mushuc Runa confirmed the news through a statement on social media, expressing deep sorrow and extending condolences to his family and loved ones. "We extend our note of sorrow at the sensitive passing of Mathías Acuña. Rest in peace," the club posted, as cited by Ámbito Financiero. Club president Luis Chango expressed grief over the loss, stating, "As an institution, we will provide all our support for the procedures to repatriate the body. All members of Mushuc Runa are dismayed by this situation," according to El Tiempo.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding Acuña's death, with local police treating it as a suspected suicide. A preliminary report by the National Police, alerted through ECU911, provided details of the case, as reported by El Universo. The Department of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences is conducting a necropsy to determine the exact cause of death.
In the months leading up to his death, Acuña had been embroiled in personal difficulties. He was under investigation for alleged physical and psychological abuse by his ex-girlfriend, Lu Rodríguez. Following these allegations, an electronic ankle monitor was placed on him as a precautionary measure. Addressing the situation on social media, Acuña stated, "They put it on as a precautionary measure, not because I am guilty. In this country, the laws are like this: They put the ankle bracelet because of everything that happened previously in other cases and so that they have control; but I repeat, not because I am guilty," as reported by Marca.
Rodríguez had publicly accused Acuña of abuse in December, sharing her testimony on social media. "I avoided this moment for many years, out of fear, out of respect for his children, out of love, because beyond all the damage, all that many people know I went through, he turned a deaf ear," she wrote, according to La Nación. "All this increased and became physical violence. Yes, I endured it for years," she added.
"Having the ankle monitor gives me peace of mind because nothing can be invented," Acuna noted. "All this helped me to end this toxic relationship of years, from which the other party never accepted that I didn't want to be with her anymore," he said, as per El Mercurio.
The Mutual Uruguayan of Professional Footballers (MUFP) and the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) expressed deep sorrow and extended their condolences. "We send our condolences to the family, teammates, and friends of Mathías Acuña," the AUF announced on social media, according to Al Jazeera.
Acuña's career spanned over a decade, during which he played for clubs in Uruguay, including CA Fénix and Boston River. He joined Mushuc Runa in July 2024 and quickly became one of the club's key players, scoring eight goals in 15 matches during the Liga Pro 2024 season. His contributions were instrumental in helping the team qualify for the 2025 Copa Sudamericana, marking an achievement for the club, as reported by El Financiero.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.