Footballer, 16, killed by stray bullet at home as mourning club pays emotional tribute

A 16-year-old footballer from Ecuador has been killed at home by a stray bullet. His club, Independiente del Valle, confirmed the teenager's death in a social media post.

Miguel Nazareno, who played as a forward as well as a midfielder, was at home in the port city of Guayaquil when he was fatally shot. Independiente, who nurtured Chelsea star Moises Caicedo and Arsenal ace Piero Hincapie before they moved to Europe, said the youngster had become a "victim of the insecurity affecting our country."

His club paid an emotional tribute to the player as they wrote on Instagram: "The family of Independiente del Valle expresses its deep sorrow for the sensitive passing of Miguel Nazareno, player of our quarry in Independiente Juniors.

"We extend our deepest condolences and all our support to his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.

"Your memory will always remain in the heart of our institution."

Nazareno's passing follows the recent deaths of Maicol Valencia and Leandro Yepez, who both played for Ecuadorian second-division team Exapromo Costa FC.

The two players were shot in an armed assault in September, according to France 24, as Valencia died in the gunfire, while his team-mate passed away due to his injuries two days later. Their club said the pair had been victims of an attack directed at another target.

And Jonathan Gonzalez, who played for fellow second-division team 22 de Julio FC, was killed later in the same month after suffering gunshot wounds during an attack inside a house in the province of Esmeraldas.

Independiente are renowned for their youth set-up, with Kendry Paez also coming through their academy before joining Chelsea in the summer.

The 18-year-old, who has already won 22 caps for Ecuador, moved on loan to Strasbourg in the summer and has featured in 13 matches for the French team.

Caicedo, meanwhile, has flourished into one of the best midfielders in Europe since moving to the Premier League.

He initially arrived in England at the start of 2021 when he joined Brighton. And after impressing on the south coast, the 24-year-old was snapped up by Chelsea in 2023 as the Blues paid a then-British record transfer fee of £115million to get their hands on the player. The 56-time capped international has gone on to play 113 games for Chelsea.

Fellow Independiente academy graduate Hincapie initially moved to CA Talleres in Argentina when he left his homeland in 2020. He was then signed by Bayer Leverkusen a year later before joining Arsenal in the summer. The 23-year-old has won 48 caps for Ecuador and has featured five times for the Gunners this season.