A footballer with dwarfism has died in a horror car crash.
Rodrigo Nieva played for the Argentina Dwarf Football Team, a competitive seven-a-side side composed of players with achondroplasia and backed by national icon Lionel Messi.
He had recently stopped playing for the team to become a full-time influencer, as reported by Need To Know.
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Rodrigo, better known online as ‘Tincho’, began creating humorous content and quickly amassed 70,000 TikTok fans and 52,000 Instagram followers before his untimely death.
The 23-year-old was killed in a car crash on Monday morning (16 Mar).
He was reportedly travelling with a companion on the motorway near his home city of San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina, when he lost control of his car and crashed.
He was allegedly travelling at high speed when the accident happened.
Rodrigo passed away at the scene and his companion was taken to hospital with multiple injuries.
A spokesperson for the Argentina Dwarf Football Team said: “Today, our dwarf football family is in mourning.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Rodrigo Nieva, who was part of our team and will always be part of our history.
“Rodrigo was a young man full of dreams.
“Recently, he was focusing on his personal projects, pursuing his dream of becoming an influencer.
“From that place, he achieved something beautiful: making us smile with his wit and his unique way of seeing life.
“He leaves us with his joy, charisma, and an example of always striving for more.
“We extend our deepest condolences to his friends and family during this painful time.”
Fellow influencer Ustin, real name Emi Camal, also paid tribute to Rodrigo.
Ustin, who also comes from San Miguel de Tucumán, said: “Today, I have to say goodbye to you.
“You didn’t deserve that end, life is so cruel.
“Fly high, my little brother, you were a great person, you’ve left so many people heartbroken.
“Thank you for the smiles you brought, thank you for filming content with me.
“So many videos that will remain unfinished, you will be greatly missed.”
A police investigation into the fatal crash is ongoing.
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