Ecuadorian football mourns as former international Mario Pineida dies at 33

Former Ecuador defender Mario Pineida has died at the age of 33 after a shooting incident in Guayaquil, plunging the country’s football community into mourning, Sport360NG reports.

Local reports said Pineida was attacked on Wednesday evening when two assailants on a motorcycle opened fire outside a shop in the northern part of the city. His mother and another woman were also present at the scene. Ecuador’s interior ministry confirmed that a specialised police unit has been deployed to investigate the killing.

The incident comes amid growing insecurity in Guayaquil, which has emerged as a major centre for gang-related violence and drug trafficking. Authorities have recorded about 1,900 murders in the city between January and September this year, the highest figure nationwide. In recent months, the violence has also affected the football community, with three second-division players killed in September and another local player injured in a shooting in October.

Pineida earned nine international caps for Ecuador between 2014 and 2021. He started his professional career at Independiente del Valle before joining Guayaquil giants Barcelona SC in 2016. During his career, he also had loan spells with Brazil’s Fluminense and Ecuadorian side El Nacional.

Tributes poured in following the news of his death. Independiente del Valle and Fluminense honoured Pineida’s memory on social media, while Barcelona SC expressed deep sorrow, describing the loss as devastating for everyone connected to the club.

The Ecuadorian Football Federation also condemned the act of violence in a statement, offering its condolences and support to Pineida’s family and loved ones.