Footballer killed in 80mph crash moments after driver seen dancing at wheel

09 December 2023 , 12:26

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Adriano Bololo tragically died in a car accident in Brazil (Image: CEN)

A Brazilian footballer has died in a car accident after the vehicle he was in collided with a pole at 80mph.

Adriano Bololo, 25, was a star in X1, a popular style of football in Brazil similar to futsal that sees opponents face each other one-on-one with only a goalkeeper to help them. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning on November 30 as Bololo and four fellow X1 athletes drove home to Fortaleza.

Bololo had just won an X1 match against Laboba on November 28 and was set to compete for the X1 belt. Footage has since emerged of one of Bololo's friends, Joao Paulo, dancing while at the wheel.

According to reports, the car was travelling at 129kph (80mph) when Paulo is said to have lost control of the car, which collided with a pole on the motorway.

Bololo tragically died at the scene while the other four athletes, Paulo, Da Lua, Raul Xavier, and Caio were taken to hospital. Two of them, Paulo and Da Lua, have since been discharged.

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Diego Gentil Tavares, the manager of Bololo's X1 team, paid tribute to his player. "Bololo was a unique guy," he said, as per G1 Globo. "When I really got to know him, I saw that he was a good guy, he helped his family.

"The money he earned from X1, that he was at the best moment of his career, he renovated his house, He bought a car, a motorbike, helped his brothers. He was a playful, good guy."

Bololo was an X1 football star (CEN)

Bololo was a fan of Brazilian club Fortaleza, representing them in Fut7 earlier this year, and the club also paid tribute on social media. "His career began with futsal and, with a lot of effort and dedication, he was changing his life through sport, inspiring other athletes to follow the path of work and achievements," they said.

"To friends, family and colleagues in the category, Fortaleza expresses its most sincere feelings. May you feel embraced in this moment of pain. Rest in peace, Adriano!"

An investigation is ongoing into the crash, with the Secretariat of Public Security and Social Defence saying: "A team from the Forensic Expertise of the State of Ceara attended the scene of the incident, where evidence was collected that will support police work."

Matthew Cooper