Ecuadorian footballer Mario Pineida, a 33-year-old left-back for Barcelona Sporting Club (Barcelona SC) in Guayaquil, was assassinated in an armed attack in the Samanes 4 neighborhood of northern Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Pineida was shot by assailants on two motorcycles outside a butcher shop or meat products store. His wife was also killed in the same attack, while his mother, who was present, was injured and hospitalized.
Barcelona SC issued an official statement expressing profound sorrow, confirming the death following an "attentado" (targeted attack) against him.
The club described the news as leaving the entire institution and fanbase in mourning.
This incident occurred shortly after reports that Pineida had requested special police protection, amid ongoing violence affecting football players in Ecuador.
The attack has shocked the Ecuadorian football community, with other clubs like Deportivo Cuenca also issuing condolences.
The motive remains under investigation by the National Police, with no suspects identified yet
