Tributes have been paid to a teenage footballer who lost his life in a quad bike accident at a friend’s farm.
Goias Esporte Clube, who have been a mainstay in Brazil’s top-flight Serie A league, but currently play in the second-tier Serie B, announced the death of U-15 player Marcelo Hermeto Brasil on their social media channels. In a statement alongside a photo of the young footballer, the club said: “It is with great sorrow that Goias Esporte Club informs you of the death of Marcelo Hermeto Brasil, our right winger and a member of our under-15 team.
“He was a source of great pride, he was always an exemplary athlete and will always be remembered by all of us. The Emerald family deeply regrets this loss. On behalf of the entire club management, we express our solidarity and condolences to the family, players, friends and fans at this difficult and painful moment.”
The club, based in the city of Goiania which is the capital city of the state of Goias in the country’s central-west region, ended the message by saying: “Goias Sports Club is mourning.”
(Image: @goiasec.base/Instagram)
One fan responded by saying: “I can’t believe this news. He was a beautiful boy with a huge heart from an amazing family I had the pleasure of meeting. May God receive him with open arms and comfort the whole family at this moment of so much pain.”
Local reports said Marcelo, 15, who had joined the club in December 2023 after time at Flamengo, died on his way to hospital after a quad bike accident at a friend’s place in Leopoldo de Bulhoes – 40 miles east of Goiania.
Confirming the reports, another professional club based in Goiania, Vila Nova FC, said in a tribute statement: “The Vila Nova Football Club expresses solidarity with the family, friends and Goias Esporte Club for the death of the young athlete Marcelo Brasil, from the Under-15 category.
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“Marcelo lost his life tragically in a quad bike accident, leaving everyone who knew him with immense sadness.
“A loss like this causes a profound impact on the entire Goias family and everyone who follows youth football, who share the same dream and love for the sport.
“Our prayers and thoughts are with everyone at this time of great sorrow. May God comfort everyone’s heart.”