- A Brazilian football player has been shot dead in his hometown near Sao Paulo
- Felipe Diogo was reportedly killed by ‘mystery gunmen’ in a street shoot-out
- The 21-year-old striker played for Sao Paulo-based Serie C club Sao Bernardo
A Brazilian footballer has been shot dead at the age of 21 in a street killing on Tuesday evening, according to reports.
Felipe Diogo, who played for Sao Paulo-based Serie C side Sao Bernardo, was killed by multiple ‘mystery gunmen’ on his return to his hometown of Ribeirao Preto.
Brazilian news outlet ge.globo reports that the striker was hit by around 10 bullets, and although was rushed to hospital, passed away soon after.
Local police have opened an investigation into the shooting and have confirmed that a motive for the murder is still unknown.
Diogo enjoyed a promising start to his career, having risen through the ranks at top Brazilian clubs Botafogo and Cruzeiro before being handed his senior debut at Sao Bernardo last year.
Brazilian footballer Felipe Diogo, 21, has been shot dead in a street killing on Tuesday
He impressed with the Under 20s side in 2021 before earning a call-up to the senior side where he helped them win promotion to Campeonato Brasileiro Serie C – the third tier of Brazilian football.
Diogo featured 12 times for the side in Serie D, scoring four times before making five more appearances this season.
His club paid tribute to the young striker following news of his death.
They wrote: ‘Sao Bernardo laments with enormous sorrow the news of the death of our player Felipe Diogo Bernardes Ferreira (Felipe Diogo).
‘May God comfort the hearts of his family in this moment of profound grief.’
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk