(CNN) -- Ecuador international Christian Benitez, the top scorer in the Mexican league last season, has died suddenly at the age of 27.

The striker popularly known as 'Chucho' passed away in the Qatari capital Doha, one day after playing his first game for new side El Jaish.

Having played at the 2006 World Cup as a youngster, Benitez had developed into an important component of an Ecuadorian side bidding to reach next year's finals in Brazil.

His 24 international goals make him the third highest scorer overall for Ecuador's national team.

Jose Chamorro, the player's agent, told an Ecuadorian television station that Benitez had suffered a heart attack and died in hospital, where he had been taken after complaining of abdominal pains.

Manchester United star Antonio Valencia, an international colleague of Benitez who played with the striker at leading Ecuadorian side El Nacional a decade ago, was among those struggling to come to terms with the loss.

"This pain (is) very strong my brother but we love you," the winger wrote on Twitter, where he also posted several pictures of the diminutive forward.

Despite being a footballer who failed to hit the heights in Europe, news of Benitez's death trended on Twitter.

Ecuador's interior minister Jose Serrano was among those who took to the micro-blogging site to comment, writing: "Dear Chucho, thank you for your goals and your happiness."

Sunderland's Craig Gardner, who played with Benitez at Birmingham City between 2009 and 2010, was also moved to comment.

"Can't believe Christian Benitez has died," Gardner wrote. "I had the pleasure to play with him. He was a top bloke. My thoughts go out to his family."

1. How did Benitez die?
2. Where?
3. What pains led him there?
4. How old was he?
5. Did he have a nickname?
6. What was it?
7. Did he play in the 2006 World Cup?
8. How many internationals goals did he have?
9. Was he the Ecuadorian team's best scorer?
10. Where did he place?
1. Heart Attack
2. hospital
3. abdominal pains
4. Twenty Seven
5. yes
6. Chucho
7. yes
8. Twenty Four
9. no
10. Third