THIS is the horror moment a goalkeeper collapses and dies seconds after saving a penalty by stopping it with his chest.
Antonio Edson dos Santos Sousa was filmed on a live online feed falling to the ground as he went to high five an overjoyed teammate.
Futsal player Antonio Edson dos Santos Sousa has died
The goalkeeper sadly passed away during a match
He collapsed moments after saving a penalty with his chest
Fellow players and officials reacted by calling on medics to assist the 34-year-old, but he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at hospital following failed attempts to revive him.
The tragedy occurred during a five-a-side futsal match at a gym in the municipality of Augusto Correa in the northern Brazilian state of Para.
The goalie who died, better-known to family and friends by his nickname of Pixe, was playing for a team called Sind Motos in an amateur tournament organised to coincide with the commemoration of the week of Brazil’s independence from Portugal more than 200 years ago.
Town hall chiefs suspended the following day’s games.
The Para Futsal Federation said in a statement alongside a black ribbon photo of Antonio: “It is with great sadness that we received the news of the passing of Antonio Edson dos Santos Sousa, an athlete who marked his career with dedication, talent, and team spirit.
“His presence will always be remembered on and off the court, not only for the exemplary player he was, but for the special person who captivated everyone.
“At this time of grief, we express our deepest condolences to his family, friends and the entire sporting community.
“May they find comfort in fond memories and in the certainty that Antonio Edson leaves behind a legacy of inspiration and passion for futsal.”
One fan reacted by saying: “God comfort the hearts of his loved ones.”
Footage of Antonio’s penalty stop showed he took the full force of the ball to his chest as he dived to his right side with his hands in front of him.
He initially appeared to be fine as he walked towards a teammate to celebrate, even pausing briefly to raise his arms into the air as if he were thanking God for what had just happened.
Seconds later, as Pixe reached his team-mate who had run towards him to congratulate him, he stumbled into his arms and fell forward before hitting the ground.
It is not yet clear whether the blow the goalie took from the ball played a part in his death.
In June another Brazilian futsal player, 33-year-old Roberto Peterson, died during a game in the southern state of Santa Catarina after being hit by the ball.
The married dad-of-three went into cardiac arrest after being struck in the abdomen.
Futsal is a variant of association football played between two teams of five players each on a court smaller than a football pitch.
It shares similarities with five-a-side football and indoor soccer.
Futsal is played worldwide, but it is most popular in South America and Spain and Portugal where there are many professional teams.
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