A footballer who played with Premier League star Pervis Estupiñán had his house torched with Molotov cocktails.
Juan Cazares’ home was set alight when suspected protection racketeers targeted it.
The 33-year-old midfielder has 22 caps and has scored one goal for Ecuador.
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He has played for the national team with Brighton star Estupiñán.
CCTV footage dated Sunday (4 May) shows how one masked thug doused the property wall with petrol in the early hours.
Another lit a petrol bomb and hurled it into the first floor, starting a blaze.
He threw a second incendiary weapon into the house as a third crook filmed the crime on his mobile phone.
The petrol-soaked wall went up in flames as a third Molotov cocktail was hurled at the door.
Two more weapons were thrown before the crooks ran away, leaving the fire to burn.
The attack took place in Quinindé, north west of Quito, Ecuador.
Luckily, Cazares was in the capital with the rest of the Independiente del Valle squad at the time of the attack.
It is reported that his mother is the sole permanent occupant of the house, as reported by Need To Know.
Local media say the attack may be linked to recent attempts to extort money from the footballer’s family.
The police are investigating the case.
Cazares turned pro in 2009 and has played for River Plate, Atlético Mineiro, Corinthians, Fluminense, Santos, and other well-known teams.
He was capped 22 times for Ecuador between 2014 and 2021, with appearances at the Copa América 2015 and the Copa América Centenario 2016.
His last match for Ecuador saw him play alongside Estupiñán, 27.
He is the father of two boys and has six trophies to his name.
Esmeraldas Province, where the attack took place, is currently experiencing a wave of violence.
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