Youth football star, 15, shot dead ‘after being mistaken for another target’ moments after playing in friendly

SportFootball A YOUNG Brazilian footballer with dreams of going pro has been shot dead ‘by mistake’. Former Sao Paulo youth star Micael Leandro da Silva was just 15 years old when he was struck by a bullet in Maceio on Saturday. Micael Leandro da Silva was shot dead after being mistaken for another target Credit: Jam Press/@saopaulofc The shooting took place in Maceio on Saturday Credit: Jam Press Police believe the shooting was carried out by rival drug trafficking gangs and that Micael, with no known ties to criminal activity, was hit after being mistaken for another target. The teenager was rushed to hospital but he died from his injuries. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Several other people were also struck during the attack. Minutes before the shooting, Micael had been playing in an amateur football tournament. His dad, Marcos Antonio Leandro, told local media: “My family has been torn apart by two criminals who came and shot my son in the back. “The match had just finished and he was getting changed, so he had no chance to run. “I’m devastated. His siblings haven’t stopped crying. “I brought all my children up with humility, showing them how to be good people. It’s not easy to lose a son who had so many dreams.” Most read in Sport Micael left the Sao Paulo academy in April and spent time training with fourth-tier club Centro Sportivo Alagoano. He was due to continue his youth football journey with lower league club Retro FC Brasil. Dad Marcos, who was an amateur footballer himself, added: “From a very young age, he stood out in football. It was all he lived and breathed. “He’d already won futsal and football titles with CSA. He was excited about getting back on the pitch and couldn’t wait for the days to pass so he could to join Retro.” Comment now