Police confirmed on Wednesday that Pineida, 33, was killed in a shooting incident in the northern part of Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city.
Another person died in the same attack, while a third victim was left injured. Authorities did not immediately provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Ecuador’s interior ministry confirmed Pineida’s death in a brief statement, while his former club Barcelona de Guayaquil said it was deeply saddened by the loss of one of its former players.
“Barcelona SC expresses its sorrow over the death of Mario Pineida and sends condolences to his family and loved ones,” the club said.
According to local media reports, the attack took place in the Samanes area, a neighbourhood that has increasingly been affected by criminal activity.
Ecuador’s interior ministry confirmed Pineida’s death in a brief statement, while his former club Barcelona de Guayaquil said it was deeply saddened by the loss of one of its former players.
“Barcelona SC expresses its sorrow over the death of Mario Pineida and sends condolences to his family and loved ones,” the club said.
According to local media reports, the attack took place in the Samanes area, a neighbourhood that has increasingly been affected by criminal activity.
Digital outlet Primicias reported that Pineida was attacked by assailants riding motorcycles, who opened fire on him, his mother and another woman. Police have not officially confirmed these details.
Pineida was a well-known figure in Ecuadorian football. He earned eight caps for the national team and featured in World Cup qualifying matches for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
Pineida was a well-known figure in Ecuadorian football. He earned eight caps for the national team and featured in World Cup qualifying matches for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
His final appearance for Ecuador came during the 2021 Copa America, where he came on as a late substitute in a group-stage match against Brazil.
Although he did not play a role in Ecuador’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup, Pineida remained respected for his contributions to the national side during a competitive period in Ecuadorian football.
At club level, Pineida began his professional career with Independiente del Valle, where he played between 2010 and 2015. He later joined Barcelona de Guayaquil in 2016, winning two domestic league titles with the coastal club.
In 2022, he briefly moved abroad to play for Brazilian side Fluminense, gaining experience in one of South America’s most competitive leagues before returning to Ecuador.
His death comes amid growing concern over security in Ecuador, a country that was once considered one of the safest in Latin America.
Although he did not play a role in Ecuador’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup, Pineida remained respected for his contributions to the national side during a competitive period in Ecuadorian football.
At club level, Pineida began his professional career with Independiente del Valle, where he played between 2010 and 2015. He later joined Barcelona de Guayaquil in 2016, winning two domestic league titles with the coastal club.
In 2022, he briefly moved abroad to play for Brazilian side Fluminense, gaining experience in one of South America’s most competitive leagues before returning to Ecuador.
His death comes amid growing concern over security in Ecuador, a country that was once considered one of the safest in Latin America.
In recent years, Ecuador has become a major transit route for cocaine trafficking between Colombia and Peru and international markets, fuelling violent competition between criminal gangs.
Guayaquil has emerged as one of the epicentres of this violence, with frequent shootings, extortion cases, car bombings and targeted killings. Several footballers and young athletes have been caught in the wave of insecurity.
Official data shows that the country recorded about 1,900 murders between January and September this year alone, the highest figure ever registered for that period.
Guayaquil has emerged as one of the epicentres of this violence, with frequent shootings, extortion cases, car bombings and targeted killings. Several footballers and young athletes have been caught in the wave of insecurity.
Official data shows that the country recorded about 1,900 murders between January and September this year alone, the highest figure ever registered for that period.
The Ecuadorian Observatory of Organised Crime has warned that total homicides in 2025 could exceed 9,000, making it the most violent year in the nation’s history.
The growing violence has increasingly affected the sports community. In November, a 16-year-old player from Independiente del Valle died after being hit by a stray bullet in Guayaquil.
The growing violence has increasingly affected the sports community. In November, a 16-year-old player from Independiente del Valle died after being hit by a stray bullet in Guayaquil.
Earlier in the year, three second-division footballers were killed in separate shooting incidents, while another local player was wounded in October.
President Daniel Noboa has vowed to crack down on criminal organisations and drug gangs operating in the country.
President Daniel Noboa has vowed to crack down on criminal organisations and drug gangs operating in the country.
His administration has declared states of emergency in several regions and deployed security forces to combat organised crime, though violence remains widespread.
Pineida’s death has sparked renewed calls for stronger protection for athletes and civilians alike, as Ecuador continues to grapple with a security crisis that is now deeply affecting public life.
Pineida’s death has sparked renewed calls for stronger protection for athletes and civilians alike, as Ecuador continues to grapple with a security crisis that is now deeply affecting public life.
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