The incident occurred in the town of Augusto Correa during a futsal tournament commemorating Brazil's independence day. Playing for Sind Motos, amateur player Sousa blocked a powerful shot from the penalty spot with his chest.

According to the live stream, Sousa celebrated with his teammates, even raising his hands in thanks. However, moments later, he stumbled into a teammate's arms and collapsed. Despite receiving immediate medical attention and being rushed to the hospital, Sousa did not survive.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Antonio Edson dos Santos Sousa, a dedicated, talented, and inspirational player both on and off the field. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and the entire futsal community," the Para State Futsal Federation said in a statement, accompanied by an image of a black ribbon.

Local authorities immediately postponed the following day's matches in his memory.

Announcement of the death of goalkeeper Antonio Edson dos Santos Sousa.

The cause of death has not been officially released. However, experts theorize that the impact of the ball on his chest may have caused commotio cordis, a rare disruption of the heart's rhythm known to cause sudden death on the field.

In June 2025, goalkeeper Roberto Peterson, 33, also died in Santa Catarina after being hit in the stomach by a ball, leading to cardiac arrest.

Commotio cordis is a dangerous heart rhythm disturbance that occurs when a blow to the chest coincides with a vulnerable moment in the heart's cycle. Although rare, it can cause sudden cardiac arrest within seconds, even in healthy individuals with no history of heart disease.

The consequences of commotio cordis are often severe. Victims can lose consciousness and collapse instantly. Without immediate treatment with an automated external defibrillator (AED) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the mortality rate is very high. This is why many international stadiums are recommended to have AEDs on hand for emergencies.

This phenomenon is often seen in high-speed sports such as futsal, soccer, baseball, and hockey. One notable example is American football player Damar Hamlin in 2023. He collapsed on the field after a blow to the chest but survived thanks to prompt medical intervention.

Compiled by Hong Duy