Brazilian football is in mourning. Antony Ylano, a 20-year-old forward for Piaui Esporte Clube, died in the early hours of October 20 after suffering a tragic motorcycle accident on the BR-343 highway in the state of Piaui. The young sportsman was returning from celebrating his father’s birthday when his motorcycle collided with a cow crossing the road.
According to the report of the Federal Highway Police, the accident took place at 3:25 a.m. local time. Nearby security cameras recorded the moment of the crash: Ylano’s motorcycle was thrown after colliding with the animal, which also died shortly afterwards due to the injuries suffered. Emergency teams tried to revive the footballer, but could not prevent his death. It has not been confirmed whether he was wearing a helmet, although speed would have been a determining factor.
Deep shock in the local football community
The news caused deep shock in the local football community. Piaui Esporte Clube published an emotional statement lamenting the loss of its player: “We are going through a moment of deep pain for the departure of Antony Ylano, an exemplary boy on and off the field,” the club said on social media. “He was part of our family since 2024 and was key in the titles of the Campeonato Piauiense U-20.”
His former teams, Associação Atletica de Altos and Fluminense-PI, also dedicated words of affection to the striker, whom they described as “a humble talent, with a constant smile and a huge future ahead of him”.
Ylano had made his professional debut in 2023 with Altos in Serie C against Remo, and his progress had allowed him to establish himself as one of the great promises of football in Piaui. In the youth ranks, he scored 28 goals and was preparing to participate with Piaui in the Copa do Brasil U-20 and in the prestigious Copa Sao Paulo Junior.
The Piaui Football Federation decreed a minute’s silence in all matches over the weekend, while hundreds of fans, teammates and family members attended the wake held in Altos to say goodbye to the young man.
Fate cut short a career that was just beginning. Antony Ylano, remembered for his joy and ambition, leaves a huge void in Brazilian football, which mourns one of its most beloved promises.
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