A promising young goalkeeper has died aged 14 after a horror car crash left him fighting for his life in intensive care.
Miguel Meneses spent two days in hospital after the vehicle he was travelling in smashed into a tree, leaving him and three relatives seriously injured.
The teenager passed away in São José dos Campos, Brazil, last night (27 Oct).
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His parents have since authorised the donation of his organs in a moving gesture that could help save the lives of others.
Miguel played for the under-15 team at São José Esporte Clube and had been travelling with his brother and two cousins when the collision happened.
The family were in a Honda Civic when the driver reportedly lost control on a sharp bend on the Anel Viário ring road.
It was raining, and the road was wet when the car struck a tree on the central reservation at around 4:15 pm on Sunday (25 Oct).
All four occupants suffered serious injuries and were taken to hospital, where Miguel remained in intensive care until his death.
Renato Santiago, the club’s youth-team manager, said the teenager had suffered a cardiac arrest and was resuscitated before doctors carried out tests to confirm brain death.
Miguel had started playing football at school at the age of four before joining São José’s youth set-up in 2025, as reported by Need To Know.
The club confirmed his death in an official statement, expressing solidarity with his family, friends, teammates, coaches and staff who had known him.
They also praised his parents’ decision, saying: “In a gesture of solidarity and love for others, Miguel’s parents decided to authorise the donation of his organs, allowing other lives to benefit.”
Santiago paid a personal tribute to the young goalkeeper, writing: “But your life will now be helping other lives; that was your purpose, my champ… to pour life into others.”
São José’s under-17 players paid tribute to the young goalkeeper by walking onto the pitch before their match against Corinthians carrying a banner in his honour.
A blood donation campaign organised after the crash also drew 36 people to a local blood bank on Monday.
His brother Benício thanked supporters for their response, saying: “It’s incredible what everyone is doing for us, the support, we never imagined it.”
The condition of the three other relatives injured in the crash remains unclear, as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.
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