Doctors in Ecuador say existing ailment led to heart attack that killed Christian Benitez

QUITO, Ecuador – An autopsy shows that star Ecuador striker Christian Benitez had a heart ailment that led to his fatal heart attack the day after a game.

According to Ecuador soccer federation president Luis Chiriboga, doctors say the ailment could not be detected before Benitez died Monday in Qatar. They found it during a second autopsy after his body was returned to Ecuador on Friday.

The 27-year-old player had gone to Qatar to play for the El Jaish club in July after spending several years in Mexico. He helped America win the Mexican championship last season.