Who was Mario Pineida? Ecuador Footballer shot dead in Guayaquil gang violence

Guayaquil, a city in Ecuador, increasingly affected by drug-related crime, witnessed the killing of Ecuadorian footballer Mario Pineida on Wednesday, December 17.

Ecuadorian police said that Mario Pineida was shot dead in a suspected attack as violence continues to rise across the country. Another unidentified person was also killed in the incident on Wednesday, while a third individual was injured.

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Who was Mario Pineida?

Mario Pineida was a defender who represented Ecuador at the last two FIFA World Cups. Born on July 6, 1992, in Santo Domingo, Ecuador, he rose through local youth systems including CSCD Brasilia, CD Saquisilí and Panamá SC. His talent soon stood out, and he made his senior debut for Independiente DV in 2010.

Over the years, Pineida built a strong domestic career. He played for several clubs in Ecuador and had a short spell outside the country with Brazilian side Fluminense FC in 2022, his only club experience abroad. At the time of his death, he was contracted to Barcelona SC of Ecuador and was on loan at El Nacional in 2024. Since joining Barcelona SC in 2022, he remained a regular presence in defence. Across his career, Pineida played 393 league matches and scored five goals.

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At the international level, he earned nine caps for Ecuador. While he did not score for the national team, he was part of Ecuador’s squads for the World Cups in Russia and Qatar, making a mark during important phases for the team.

The incident adds to a growing list of attacks on footballers in Ecuador. In September, three second-division players were killed, and a month later, footballer Bryan Angula was injured in a shooting.

In a post on X, Barcelona SC said it "regrets to inform, with deep sorrow, that it has been officially notified of the death of our player Mario Pineida, an event that occurred following an attack against him" in Guayaquil.