Ecuador international defender Mario Pineida has been shot dead, aged 33.
The Barcelona Sporting Club full-back, who played nine times at international level and most recently in 2021, was killed in broad daylight in Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city which is 165 miles south west of Ecuador’s capital Quito.
Edison Palacios, the area’s police chief, told TC Television in Ecuador that Pineida and his partner were killed at the scene.
“Eyewitnesses say that two people on motorbikes shot towards the three people,” Palacios said. “We have security cameras in the area and we will be investigating these.
“Alongside the footballer and his partner, the attack also left one person injured, the footballer’s mother, who suffered a minor head injury and was treated by paramedics. She is out of danger.
“The investigative units are gathering information and carrying out all the necessary procedures to clarify the case.”
In Ecuador, homicides have hit “unprecedented levels” and rose 429 percent from the first half of 2019 to 2024, according to a report last year from Human Rights Watch.
Projections for 2025, calculated by Global Initiative, estimate around 9,100 homicides — a 40 per cent increase from 2024, and equivalent to a rate of almost 50 per 100,000 inhabitants.
In September, Maicol Valencia and Leandro Yepez, players of Exapromo Costa, and 22 de Junio’s Jonathan Gonzalez all died from gunshot wounds.
In November, Miguel Nazareno, a 16-year-old in Independiente del Valle’s youth academy, was at home in Guayaquil “when he unfortunately became a victim of the insecurity affecting our country”, his club said in an Instagram post.
Nazeron’s death came a month after five-time Ecuador international Bryan Angulo was shot in the foot when attending a training session, as reported by Ecuadorian TV network Teleamazonas.
Pineida won two Ecuador league titles with Barcelona SC, and also helped the club reach two Copa Libertadores semi-finals, having joined from Independiente del Valle in 2016. The defender also had a spell at Brazil’s Fluminense in 2022, where he played 24 matches.
Pineida started his professional career at Independiente del Valle, where he played from 2010 to 2015. He then moved to the club of the coastal city of Guayaquil in 2016 and won two league titles there. The defender also had a brief spell at Brazil’s Fluminense in 2022.
“This tragic news has deeply saddened all of us who are part of the club, and we mourn as a Barcelona family,” the club, who are based in Guayaquil, said.
“In the coming hours, we will provide timely updates regarding the events that will be held in his memory. For now, we ask our members, fans, and the public to offer a prayer for the resting of his soul and for strength for his entire family during this time of immense grief.”
Llegó en 2016. Hizo historia para siempre. 💛
2 títulos. 2 semifinales de Libertadores.
Con garra, entrega y amor por la amarilla.
Mario, se ganó ser parte eterna de la historia del Ídolo.
Por todo y más , te recordaremos siempre Marito pic.twitter.com/stLzxUkP2s
— BARCELONA S.C. (@BarcelonaSC) December 18, 2025
“He arrived in 2016,” the club wrote on social media. “He made history forever. Two (Ecuadorian league) titles, two Libertadores semifinals. With grit, dedication, and love for the yellow jersey.
“Mario earned his place in the history of the Idol. For all this and more, we will always remember you, Marito.”
A statement from the Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) expressed its deep regret over the death of Pineida.
Aquiles Alvarez, the mayor of Guayaquil and previously vice-president of Barcelona SC, via EFE, said: “I’m still in shock. We saw each other recently. It seems hard to believe.
“He had so many great years at Barcelona SC: two titles, two Copa Libertadores semi-finals. A great man, Mario. What a tragedy. May God have you in his glory.”
Antonio Alvarez, the mayor’s brother and president of Barcelona SC, said: “I still can’t believe it. What a rollercoaster of emotions. What a devastating blow.
“It seems unbelievable … you left a lasting mark on BSC. Rest in peace, Marito.”
Barcelona SC are 16-time champions of Ecuador, and have twice been runners-up in the Copa Libertadores, in 1990 and 1998.