Brazilian pro footballer Daniel Freitas found murdered in the street

A professional Brazilian footballer has been found dead in gruesome circumstances.

Daniel Freitas, 24, was ‘almost beheaded and had his genitals severed’, according to local reports.

The midfield player was owned by top-flight club Sao Paulo but had spent the last two years out on loan at Serie B sides Coritiba, Ponte Preta and most recently Sao Bento.

His body was found in the city of San Jose dos Pinhos in Brazil’s southern state of Parana, by passers-by.

He had been tortured, according to local newspaper, Plan B.

“A police officer was quoted saying ‘The man had two deep cuts on his neck, his head was nearly beheaded and his genitals were severed”.