A 15-year-old footballer has been shot dead after reportedly being caught in the crossfire following a friendly football match in Brazil.
Micael Leandro da Silva, a former São Paulo FC youth player, was killed after taking part in a match during the Taça das Grotas amateur football tournament in Maceió on Saturday, August 1.
According to police, Micael was not the intended target and was mistakenly shot during the attack. He was rushed to hospital but later died from his injuries. Several other people were also sustained gunshot wounds.
Investigators believe the attack was carried out by members of rival drug trafficking gangs. Authorities, however, stressed that there is no evidence linking the teenager to any criminal activity.
Micael, the youngest of five children, lived in Maceió. His father, painter Marcos Antônio Leandro, described the family’s grief while speaking to local media.
“My family has been torn apart by two criminals who came and shot my son in the back,” he said.
“The match had just ended, and he was in the dressing room changing his clothes, so he had no chance to escape. I’m devastated. His siblings haven’t stopped crying.”
Micael had previously been part of São Paulo FC’s youth academy and was training with Centro Sportivo Alagoano (CSA). He was also preparing to join Retrô FC Brasil in Camaragibe.
He joined São Paulo in the second half of 2025 and remained with the club until April 2026. During his time there, he represented the Under-14 and Under-15 teams at the club’s renowned Cotia Youth Academy and helped them win the 2026 Copa Fictor Under-15 title.
Reflecting on his son’s talent and passion for football, Marcos said: “From a very young age, he stood out in football. It was everything to him. He had already won futsal and football titles with CSA.
“He was excited about getting back on the pitch and was counting down the days until he could travel to Recife to begin his journey with Retrô.”
Football was deeply rooted in the family. Marcos had played amateur football, while Micael’s cousin, Júlio “Peu” dos Santos Ângelo, became a CSA legend and later won the FIFA Club World Cup with Flamengo.
Despite financial challenges, Marcos said he always supported his son’s dream of becoming a professional footballer.
“I raised all my children with humility and taught them to be good people. It’s heartbreaking to lose a son who had so many dreams,” he said.
Police have begun interviewing witnesses and gathering statements to assist the investigation. Detectives are also reviewing CCTV footage in an effort to identify those responsible for the shooting.
No arrests have been made.
