Several Flamengo players escaped unhurt after their vehicles came under gunfire on a highway in Rio de Janeiro early Thursday morning, the club confirmed. The team had just returned from Argentina, where they had played a Copa Libertadores match against Central Cordoba.
The incident occurred at around 5:30 am local time 0830 GMT on a major roadway in the city. Flamengo reported that some of the players cars were targeted in an attempted attack. Four shots were fired at a bulletproof car transporting Argentine goalkeeper Agustin Rossi. Fortunately, no one in the vehicles was harmed.
Rossi, a 29-year-old former Boca Juniors player, joined Flamengo in 2023 and is considered one of the teams key figures. Rio's military police said they carried out a search of the area following the shooting and accompanied the players to a police station.
The attack took place as the team returned from a 1-1 draw against Central Cordoba in Santiago del Estero, in northern Argentina. The Copa Libertadores, South Americas top club competition, is the equivalent of Europe's Champions League.
Flamengo remains one of the tournament favourites, although they currently sit third in their group with five points, trailing Liga de Quito and Central Cordoba, who both have eight.