A young Brazilian player with professional dreams was "mistakenly shot dead," according to The Sun.

Mikael Leandro da Silva, a former São Paulo academy player, was hit by a stray bullet in Maceió last Saturday at just 15 years old.

Police believe the shooting was carried out by rival drug gangs. Mikael, who had no known connection to criminal activity, was shot after being mistaken for another target.

The teenager was then rushed to the hospital but ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Several others were also shot and injured in the attack.

Mikael had just finished playing an amateur football match minutes before the shooting.

His father, Marcos Antonio Leandro, told local media: "Two criminals destroyed our family, they shot my son in the back.

"The game had just ended, and he was changing clothes, so he didn't even have time to run.

"I am heartbroken. The children have been crying.

"I raised them from a young age to be humble and taught them how to be good people. Losing a son with so many dreams is not easy."

Mikael left the São Paulo academy in April and had since undergone trials with Centro Sportivo Alagoano, a Brazilian fourth-tier team.

He was preparing to continue his youth career, joining lower-tier club Retrô FC Brasil.

His father, Marcos, who also played amateur football, added: "He excelled at football from a very young age. Football was his everything.

"He had already won futsal and football championships with CSA. He was always looking forward to getting back on the field, eager to join Retrô."

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