Barcelona Soccer Star Mario Pineida Shot Dead in Apparent Targeted Attack in Ecuador

Mario Pineida, a 33-year-old defender for Barcelona Sporting Club, was shot and killed Wednesday in an apparent targeted attack in the northern sector of Guayaquil, Ecuadorian police confirmed. The incident also left at least one other person dead and a third injured, according to authorities and local media.

According to a report from the AP, the attack took place in the Samanes neighborhood, where Pineida was accompanied by his partner and his mother at the time, according to eyewitness accounts. Two unknown assailants on motorcycles reportedly opened fire on the group outside a commercial area. Pineida and his partner died at the scene, while his mother was wounded and taken to a nearby hospital, with her condition described as stable.

Ecuador's Interior Ministry confirmed the defender's death without offering further immediate details on motives or suspects, but law enforcement sources say investigators are treating the case as a planned attack rather than a robbery. No arrests have been reported.

Mario Alberto Pineida Martínez was born on July 6, 1992, in Santo Domingo, Ecuador. Known for his versatility as a full-back, he played nearly his entire career in Ecuador's top flight. Pineida won league titles with Barcelona SC and was part of squads that reached the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores. He also had spells with Fluminense in Brazil and El Nacional.

Barcelona SC released an official statement expressing profound sorrow over the loss of one of its most experienced players. The club said Pineida's death has deeply affected the organization and supporters alike. Tributes have come from across South American football, including former clubs and national team circles.

Pineida was a well-known figure in Ecuadorian football, having spent most of his career with Barcelona SC after coming up through the ranks at Independiente del Valle. He had also played abroad on loan with Brazil's Fluminense and made nine appearances for Ecuador's national team, appearing at the Copa América tournaments in both 2017 and 2021.

The killing comes amid a surge in violent crime in Ecuador in 2025, which is on track to surpass previous records for homicides. Authorities and President Daniel Noboa have repeatedly pledged to intensify efforts against organized crime, particularly linked to expanding international drug cartel activity within the country.

Pineida's death has sent shockwaves through the football community in Ecuador and beyond, with fans and fellow professionals mourning the loss of one of the country's most respected defenders.

Originally published on Latin Times