Tragedy as three-year-old son of top footballer dies after horror car crash that left him in intensive care

BRAZILIAN football star Naldo Pereira’s son has tragically died aged three after a horror traffic accident.

The 35-year-old, who currently plays for Turkish side Antalyaspor, and his wife Juliana Tilatti are in mourning after losing David in the tragedy.

The boy was injured in a terrible road crash on September 7 in Antalya.

Two cars and a bicycle collided in the accident which led to David being rushed to hospital.

He underwent surgery and had remained in the ICU unit but he sadly lost his fight to survive after a month.

The heartbreaking news was confirmed by Antalyaspor’s official social media accounts.

They wrote: “We won’t forget you, David!

“We received, with deep sadness, the news of the death of the son of our football player Naldo Pereira, Davi, who suffered an accident last month.

“We express our condolences to our player Naldo and his family, especially to his fans, family and community.”

A host of tributes soon poured after the post, with one fan saying: “May God give him patience and rest in peace. May God not test anyone with the pain of a child.”

Another wrote: “Truly heartbreaking. Sorry for your loss.”

While a fellow mourner said: “Everyone is with you Naldo. So sorry for your loss.”

Naldo began his career in his homeland Uniao Sao Joao and played for big guns Gremio and Cruzeiro but moved to Spanish side Granada in 2013.

Following a loan spell in Italy at Bologna, he moved there permanently in 2013 when he signed for Udinese.

He spent a season in Serie A then headed back to Spain for a campaign on loan at Getafe.

Naldo was then snapped up by Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon but 12 months later he was off to Russia to join Krasnodar.

However, he returned to Spain with Espanyol in 2017 and he spent three seasons there.

Naldo joined Antalyaspor for the first time in 2020 and enjoyed two seasons there before he was on the move again.

He moved to Saudi club Al-Taawoun for the 2022-23 campaign but returned with his family to Antalyaspor this summer.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk