Former goalkeeper Neneca, from América-MG and Figueirense, dies at 45

Former goalkeeper Anderson Soares da Silva, known as Neneca, died today, at the age of 45, after not resisting complications from a heart attack. Currently, he was a football manager at União Esporte Clube.
The Situation
Neneca had been hospitalized in the ICU at Santa Casa since last Friday. He suffered a heart attack while watching the match between União Rondonópolis and Academia, in the Under-17 category. The former goalkeeper received initial care at an Emergency Care Unit. Later on, he was transferred to Santa Casa, due to the seriousness of the case. It was detected an aneurysm in the aorta artery and the need for surgery, but he did not survive.
Neneca played for clubs such as América-MG, Figueirense, Santo André, and Botafogo-SP, among others. His first stint with União happened in the early 2000s, and he returned in 2019. He made a name for himself in São Paulo football. He won the Serie C in 2004 with União Barbarense. In 2008, he won the Paulistão A2 with Santo André and in 2015, he was champion of Serie D with Botafogo-SP.
He retired in 2022, at the age of 42. After hanging up his gloves, he assumed the role of football supervisor at União. The nickname Neneca came about when he played for Flamengo de Guarulhos, due to the similarities with the former Guarani goalkeeper, Brazilian champion in 1978.
The Rondonópolis City Hall and the São Paulo Football Federation issued a statement lamenting the death of the former goalkeeper. “Neneca made his mark both on and off the field, leaving memories of dedication to sports and friendship with everyone who had the opportunity to be around him”.
Rondonópolis City Hall Statement
“The Rondonópolis City Hall, through Mayor Claudio Ferreira, expresses deep sorrow over the passing of former goalkeeper Anderson Soares da Silva, affectionately known as Neneca, which occurred this Monday (22) in the city. Neneca made his mark both on and off the field, leaving memories of dedication to sports and friendship with everyone who had the opportunity to be around him, including participating in the Worker Celebration event playing soccer alongside the mayor, secretary, and other municipal employees. His premature departure brings mourning to the hearts of his family, friends, and the entire sports community of Rondonópolis”.
During this time of deep sorrow, Mayor Claudio Ferreira and the entire municipal administration stand in solidarity with the family and friends, praying to God to comfort them”.
São Paulo Football Federation Statement
“The São Paulo Football Federation regrets the passing of Anderson Soares da Silva, Neneca, this Monday (22) in Rondonópolis. Anderson was hospitalized in the ICU at Santa Casa since last Friday (19) after suffering a heart attack while watching a match between the youth teams of União Rondonópolis and Academia. Neneca played as a goalkeeper and was a historic player for União Rondonópolis, originating from the club’s youth categories, also having stints with teams like União Barbarense, Santo André, Botafogo-SP, America-MG, and Figueirense. In 2004, he won Serie C wearing União Barbarense’s shirt and later, in 2015, he was champion of Serie D with Botafogo-SP. Additionally, the former goalkeeper was crowned champion of Paulistão A2 with Santo André in 2008. Neneca wore the ABC Paulista team colors for six seasons, playing 189 matches. In recent years, he worked as a football manager at União Rondonópolis”.
Botafogo-SP Statement
“The board of Botafogo Futebol SA deeply regrets the passing of goalkeeper Anderson Soares da Silva, Neneca. He passed away this Monday (22) in Rondonópolis, where he had been hospitalized since last Friday when he suffered a heart attack. Neneca, who played for the Tricolor between 2015 and 2017, donned the Pantera’s jersey on 83 occasions. In 2015, he was one of the key players in the promotion to Serie C of the Brazilian Championship and in the Serie D title.”