At fourteen, Zequinha’s future vanished on the football pitch.

A casual game with church friends ended in tragedy, leaving his family and teammates grieving a boy remembered for his kindness as much as his talent. His father said his medical checks were current, making the sudden loss even harder to comprehend for everyone who had shared his brightest drea…

Ezequiel Sena Neres, known affectionately as Zequinha, died in March 2025 after suffering cardiorespiratory arrest while playing football in Goiânia, Goiás.

According to his father, Dione Neres, the teenager felt unwell, rested, and later collapsed after returning to the game. He was taken to a nearby pediatric hospital, where attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.

His father said the young athlete’s routine examinations were up to date and he had been cleared for strenuous activity.

A right winger for G2 Futebol Clube, Zequinha had started playing futsal at six. Those who knew him described a polite, dedicated student and supportive teammate whose ambitions included becoming a businessman.

His club announced its mourning, while coaches and teammates remembered his shy smile and calm manner. He was buried at Cemitério Parque de Goiânia, leaving his family, church friends, and football community to cherish a life that meant far more than promise on the pitch.