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 dreams. In a matter of moments, an ordinary afternoon centered around the sport he loved became a heartbreaking memory that his family and teammates would carry with them for years.
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. The suddenness of the event left those around him struggling to understand how a teenager who appeared ready to continue pursuing his passion could be gone so quickly.
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. Football had been part of his life for years, giving him a place to develop his skills, build friendships, and imagine a future connected to the sport. His personality away from the pitch was remembered just as strongly as his ability on it.
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. For the people who knew him, memories of his character, his quiet determination, and the enthusiasm he brought to football became part of the difficult process of saying goodbye. His story serves as a reminder of how deeply a young person can touch a family, a team, and a wider community in a short time, leaving behind memories that continue even after an unexpected tragedy brings those dreams to an end.