Former Brazilian player Marcelinho Carioca announced after his release following an abduction that his kidnappers pointed a gun at his head and forced him to transfer money to them. The São Paulo State Police stated in a press conference held with the former player of Corinthians and Valencia on Monday evening that five individuals were arrested and charged with kidnapping extortion, and that Carioca transferred about 40,000 reais (approximately 8,000 dollars) to the kidnappers' accounts.
The former player recounted that three people attacked him early Saturday in the eastern part of São Paulo while he was in his car near his girlfriend's house to give her tickets to a concert. He stated, "They hit me on the head, and when I got into the car, they put a bag over my head, and I couldn't see anything."
The kidnappers took him and his girlfriend to a house where they threatened him with a gun, demanded the password for his cellphone, and forced him to transfer money. He said, "I wasn’t worried about the money, but about my life and my girlfriend’s life. I told them I just wanted them to let me go. It’s not easy to have a gun pointed at your head the whole time."
Carioca added that the kidnappers forced him to record a video, which later circulated on social media, in which he mentioned that there were issues regarding his girlfriend during the event and that her husband had kidnapped him.
The former player clarified during the press conference that he has no romantic relationship with his girlfriend, while the police indicated that such videos are "common" to mislead investigators.
After receiving an anonymous tip pointing to a house believed to be where the kidnappers were located, the agents proceeded to the site after Monday evening and found two "nervous" women, and then continued until they found Carioca.
It is noted that Carioca, 51, began his professional soccer career in 1988 with Flamengo, later joined Corinthians, and had a brief stint with Valencia in 1997. He was known for his excellent free-kick execution, earning him the nickname "Angel's Foot," and participated in four official matches with the Brazilian national team, scoring two goals.
