Brazilian footballer Felipe Diogo shot dead aged 21 after mystery gunmen open fire on return visit to hometown
Brazilian football has been plunged into mourning after striker Felipe Diogo was killed in a street shoot-out.
The 21-year-old played for Serie C club Sao Bernardo, based in Sao Paulo.
He helped them win promotion last season, and had made five appearances so far this term.
But Diogo was attacked by mystery gunmen during a return visit to his home town Ribeirao Preto on Tuesday.
Police sources revealed he was hit by around ten bullets, and although emergency services rushed the player to hospital he could not be saved.
Local police have opened an enquiry, and revealed they are keeping open minds as to the motive for the killing.
Diogo came through the academies of top Brazilian clubs Cruzeiro and Botafogo before making his senior bow with Sao Bernardo last year.
He had previously had success with the U20s side in 2021 where he impressed enough to catch the attention of the first team.
He made 18 appearances for the club scoring four times.
The club paid tribute to him on social media.
They wrote: “Sao Bernardo laments with enormous sorrow the news of the death of our player Felipe Diogo Bernardes Ferreira (Felipe Diogo).
“May God comfort the hearts of his family in this moment of profound grief.”