Penalty Kick to the Chest: 16-Year-Old Footballer Dies Suddenly During Match

A 16-year-old footballer died during a local league match in Brazil (illustrative photo). monkeybusiness – ENVATO ELEMENTS

A 16-year-old footballer died during a local league match in Brazil on January 6, 2025. His death sparked strong emotion throughout the country.

His name was Edson Lopes Gama and he was 16 years old. This Brazilian footballer lost his life while saving a penalty. The tragedy took place on the night of January 5-6, 2025, during a local championship match organized near the city of Maués, in the state of Amazonas, in the north of the country, reports TF1.

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He collapses

The teenager collapsed when the ball hit his chest, before curling up, report several local media outlets including CNN Brasil.

“Witnesses reported that they tried to resuscitate him at the scene”, according to CNN. The young footballer was then reportedly taken to a “health office”, nearly 11 hours after the accident, because of the dry rivers in the region make transportation difficult. He no longer showed any vital signs.

Wave of emotion

The news of Edson Lopes Gama's death sparked a wave of emotion across the country. His funeral took place two days later, on January 7. According to Actu, his family is still waiting for the official report for learn more about the exact cause of his death.