RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Uruguayan soccer player Franco Acosta was found dead on Monday, after disappearing on Saturday, March 6th, when trying to swim across a stream in the department of Canelones, in the south of the country. According to EFE agency, the athlete’s body was found virtually in the same place where he was last seen.
According to the Ovación website, both he and his brother had tried to swim across the stream, but the other young man changed his mind and returned to dry land, while his brother chose to continue. With about 15 meters left to reach the shore, he called for help and disappeared in an area between 3 and 4 meters deep. With no lifeguards on site, some bystanders rushed in an attempt to rescue him, but could not find him.
The maritime authority had been searching for the 25-year-old since Saturday. Born in March 1996, he began his professional career in Fénix, where he debuted in 2013. Two years later, the striker played the South American Under-20 Championship and the World Cup in the same category with Uruguay in a squad that included players such as Erick Cabaco, Mauro Arambarri, Nahitan Nández and Gastón Pereiro.
In that same season, Acosta was signed by Spain’s Villarreal, where he played initially for the reserve team. Later, he was promoted to the top team and in June he made his debut in the UEFA Europa League in the yellow submarine’s 2-0 victory over France’s Lyon with goals from Bruno Soriano and Leo Baptistao. Finally, in 2018 he moved to Racing Santander, also in the Spanish league, a club where he spent one season before returning to Uruguay, where he played for Plaza Colonia, Boston River and Atenas de San Carlos.
The Uruguayan Soccer Association (AUF) issued a statement on the tragic event: “We are deeply saddened by the death of soccer player Franco Acosta, who was a member of Uruguay’s youth national teams. Our condolences to his family, friends and teammates.” This message was echoed by several local clubs, including Atenas, Boston River and Plaza Colonia, where he had played.
On Saturday, the Uruguayan Navy launched a major water and land operation to find the young man. According to the Montevideo Portal website, the Sea Search and Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) triggered its search and rescue system, deploying SUCOS personnel to the area along with the Prefecture of Canelones and the Marine Infantry Command. Support was also requested from the Diving and Rescue Group.
This is not the first time that a Uruguayan soccer player tragically dies in a stream or lagoon. In December 2020 Maximiliano Pereira Cardozo, 27 years old, drowned in the Salto del Penitente lake where he was with his 3-month pregnant wife. The incident occurred after he dove into the water not knowing how to swim.
Source: Infobae