Neneca, former goalkeeper for Santo André and América-MG, dies

Former goalkeeper Anderson Soares da Silva, known as Neneca, passed away today at the age of 45 after succumbing to complications from a heart attack. He was currently the football manager of União Esporte Clube.

Neneca had been hospitalized in the ICU at Santa Casa since last Friday. He suffered a heart attack while watching the U-17 match between União Rondonópolis and Academia.

The former goalkeeper received initial treatment at an emergency room and was later transferred to Santa Casa Hospital due to the severity of his condition. There, an aneurysm in his aorta was diagnosed, requiring surgery, but he did not survive.

With stints at América-MG , Figueirense, Santo André and Botafogo -SP, among others, Neneca made history in São Paulo football. He was the Série C champion with União Barbarense in 2004, won the Paulistão A2 with Santo André, and the Série D with Botafogo-SP.

In 2022, the goalkeeper decided to hang up his gloves at the age of 42 and took over as football supervisor at União, a club where he had two spells: one in the early 2000s and another in 2019.

The nickname Neneca came about when he played for Flamengo de Guarulhos, due to the similarities with the former goalkeeper of Guarani , Brazilian champion of 1978.

The city of Rondonópolis and the São Paulo Football Federation published a statement lamenting the death of the former goalkeeper.