Brazilian footballer Jeferson Merli passes away at 27 after drowning in Portugal river with girlfriend

Brazilian goalkeeper Jeferson Merli, aged 27, tragically drowned in the Homem River in Portugal’s Peneda-Geres National Park. Merli, who played for Grupo Desportivo Caldelas, disappeared while swimming with his girlfriend. Emergency services recovered his body after a three-hour search. Caldelas had just renewed his contract in July. Clubs and former coaches remember Merli as dedicated, professional, and full of dreams.