Ecuadorian “Barcelona" footballer killed with wife in shooting

Mario Alberto Pienida Martinez, a defender for Ecuadorian football club Barcelona of Guayaquil, has been killed in an armed attack in the city of Guayaquil, the football club confirmed on X. 

The shooting occurred when unidentified assailants on motorcycles approached Pienida and his family and opened fire. His wife and mother were with him at the time of the attack. His wife was killed at the scene, while his mother was wounded and has been taken to hospital for treatment, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

Pienida had previously played for Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle and for Brazilian club Fluminense on loan. During his time with Barcelona, he won the Ecuadorian championship twice and also lifted the national cup.

At international level, Pienida was selected for Ecuador’s squad at the 2015 Copa América. He made his debut for the national team in 2014 and played his final international match in 2021, earning a total of nine caps for Ecuador.

By Sabina Mammadli