The footballing fraternity in Brazil was in for a major shock when midfielder Daniel Correa’s decapitated body was recovered from the fringes of the city of Curitiba on Saturday.
Brazilian newspaper Folha de S.Paulo reports a source in the local police who said that his throat had been cut so brutally that his head almost fell off. In addition, his genitals were cut off, the source added.
Sao Paulo FC –the club where 24-year old had joined in 2015 held a minute’s silence before training as a mark of respect to the deceased player. At the time of his death, he played on loan for second division club Sao Benito.
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In a statement by Sao Paulo, it was revealed that the footballer was “found dead this weekend.”
Investigating authorities, who have been given charge of probing into the case said that their work was at an “advanced” stage and that members of his family would soon be interrogated.
Despite being one of the places known for its football culture, Brazil is also one of those countries which rank as one of the most violent in the world. The South-American nation saw a record of 63,880 people get killed last year.
Correa made his debut for Botafogo in 2013 and his dribbling skills often led fans to name him “Daniel Messi.” In 2014, he sustained a knee injury which slowed his growth in what promised to be a bright career.