34-year-old goalkeeper dies after saving penalty with chest

Para Futsal Federation post about Antonio Edson dos Santos Sousa's passing on Instagram.

The incident occurred in the town of Augusto Correa on Sept. 2 during a tournament celebrating Brazil's Independence Day when amateur goalkeeper Sousa, who plays for Sind Motos, used his chest to block a powerful shot from the penalty spot.

According to livestream footage, Sousa walked forward to celebrate with his teammates, raising his hands toward the sky. Seconds later, he fell into a teammate's arms and collapsed.

Despite immediate first aid and being rushed to the hospital, Sousa could not be revived, The Sun reported.

"It is with immense sadness that we learned of the passing of Antônio Edson dos Santos Sousa, an athlete who marked his career with dedication, talent, and team spirit. His presence will always be remembered on and off the court, not only as an exemplary player, but also as the special person who captivated everyone," the Para Futsal Federation said in a statement on Instagram along the goalkeeper's black ribbon photo.

"In this time of grief, we express our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the entire sports community. May they find comfort in the fond memories and in the certainty that Antônio Edson leaves behind a legacy of inspiration and passion for futsal."

Local authorities immediately postponed the following day's matches to pay tribute to the goalkeeper.

 

 

34-year-old goalkeeper dies after saving penalty with chest

Thủ môn qua đời ngay sau khi cản phạt đền

The cause of death has not been officially confirmed. Experts suggest that the powerful impact on Sousa’s chest could have triggered commotio cordis, a rare but deadly heart rhythm disorder that can cause sudden cardiac arrest.

Earlier, in June 2025, goalkeeper Roberto Peterson, 33, also died in Santa Catarina state after a ball struck his abdomen, causing cardiac arrest.

Commotio cordis occurs when the chest is hit at a vulnerable moment in the heart cycle, triggering sudden cardiac arrest, even in healthy individuals. Victims can collapse immediately and lose consciousness, and without prompt intervention using an AED (automated external defibrillator) and CPR, the risk of death is extremely high, according to El Comercio.

This phenomenon is most commonly seen in sports involving high-speed balls, including futsal, football, baseball and hockey. A recent example is American football player Damar Hamlin in 2023, who lost consciousness after a chest collision but survived thanks to quick on-field first aid.