Marcelinho Carioca remembers fear during kidnapping: ‘They’re going to kill us’ – 12/25/2023 – Sports

Former football player Marcelinho Carioca revealed to Fantástico (Globo), in an interview shown this Sunday (24), that he was afraid of dying during the 36-hour kidnapping last weekend.

“They’re going to shoot us, they’re going to kill us”, he concluded when he noticed the signs that the police were close to the captivity. He first heard the noise of the police helicopter and then the voice of a man who appeared at the gate of the house.

“He arrived at the gate and said: “I’m going in. Open”, recalls the former player. “I didn’t know what was coming. What would you see?”

The man was a military police officer who rescued him along with the former athlete’s friend, also kidnapped. “I hugged him like my father, my brother. He risked his life”, said Marcelinho, emotional when remembering the scene.

He was kidnapped after leaving a concert by singer Thiaguinho at the Neo Química Arena, in Itaquera, in the east of São Paulo. On the way home, the Corinthians idol stopped in Itaquaquecetuba to leave tickets for his friend, who he had known since the time he was Sports Secretary in the city.

The imported car would have caught the attention of criminals. He was approached by an armed group who asked for cards, passwords, cell phone unlocking and access to the PIX.

Alongside his friend, Marcelinho remained in a captive room receiving threats, including that he would be subjected to Russian roulette. The imported car, located by the police, began investigations that culminated in the release of the former player and her friend.

Four people have been arrested so far. The group is being investigated for kidnapping, criminal association and reception.

The suspicion is that they are part of a gang specialized in kidnapping people and forcing them to make transfers through Pix.