Brazilian goalkeeper Edson Lopes, 16, tragically collapsed and passed away after saving a penalty with his chest during a training session.
A video from the session shows Lopes bravely blocking the penalty with his chest on Jan. 5. Suddenly after, he collapsed on the pitch in the town of Maues, located in the Amazon rainforest. Emergency responders rushed him to a hospital, but the journey reportedly took around 11 hours and he passed away en route, according to The Sun.
Lopes’s sudden death has left his family, friends, and the local community in shock. Family members wore Gremio jerseys, Lopes’s favorite team while carrying his coffin.
A sceenshot from the video with Edson Lopes stopping a penalty with his chest before his death on Jan. 5, 2025. |
Lopes had no history of heart disease and was described as an active and dedicated athlete.
His brother, Eliomar, shared a heartfelt tribute on social media: “Today, you touched all of Brazil. I never imagined something like this could happen. You were a dedicated player and a child who was never sad, always happy. My brother, we are sorry to see you go, but you left doing what you loved most, playing football.”
Tributes poured in from others, reflecting the deep impact Lopes had on those around him. One mourner wrote: “May God comfort the hearts of your family and friends. He is watching over you all.”
Another added, “This boy was loved by all.”
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