The goalkeeper tragically died after saving a penalty in his chest. Antonio Edson dos Santos Sousa was captured in a live online stream that collapses to the ground as he went to celebrate with his teammates. Despite immediate medical consultations, the 34-year-old was declared dead shortly after arriving at the hospital after a failed attempt to revive him.
The heartbreaking incident occurred during a futsal match of five pets in the municipal gymnasium of Augusto Correa in northern Para, Brazil. Edson dos Santos Sousa, known affectionately by his nickname “Pixe,” played for Sindmotos in an amateur tournament organized more than 200 years ago to coincide with the commemoration of Brazil’s independence from Portugal.
In response to the tragedy, local authorities suspend the game the next day. Parafutsal Federation issued a statement along with a black ribbon photo of the deceased player.
“His presence is always remembered on and off the court, not just for the exemplary player he was, but also for the special person who has captivated everyone.”
“At this point of grief, we express our deepest sadness to his family, friends and the entire sports community. May they find comfort in the fond memories and certainty that Antonio Edson leaves behind a legacy of inspiration and passion for futsal.”
Video footage of Antonio’s penalty save revealed that he absorbed the complete shock of the ball into his chest as he placed his hand in front of his hand and rushed to the right.
He initially seemed unharmed as he moved towards his teammate to celebrate.
But after a while, when Pixe approached his teammate, he stumbled into his arms and fell forward before hitting the ground.
It remains unclear whether the shock that the goalkeeper sustained from the ball contributed to his death. In June, another Brazilian futsal player, 33, Roberto Peterson, died during a match in the southern part of Santa Catarina after being hit by the ball.
The three married fathers suffered cardiac arrest after a crash into the stomach. Futsal is a variation of the association’s soccer, where it is contested between two teams of five players each, on a smaller pitch than a traditional soccer field.
It’s similar to five side soccer and indoor soccer. Futsal is contested worldwide, but it is the most popular in South America, Spain and Portugal, with many professional clubs present.
