Nelson Ismael Rivera Tobías (24 June 1991 – 3 October 2010) was a Salvadoran footballer who last played as a defender for Isidro Metapan until his death.

Nelson Rivera
Personal information
Full name Nelson Ismael Rivera Tobías
Date of birth (1991-06-24)24 June 1991
Place of birth Santa Ana, El Salvador
Date of death 3 October 2010(2010-10-03) (aged 19)
Place of death San Salvador, El Salvador
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
2008–2009 Turín-FESA
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2010 Titán
2010 Isidro Metapan. 1 (0)
International career
2008–2010 El Salvador U20
2010 El Salvador U21
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

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Rivera started his career at Third Division outfit Turín-FESA and moved one level up when signed by Salvadoran second division side Titán in 2009. He then joined Primera División de Fútbol de El Salvador team Isidro Metapan before the start of the 2010 Apertura.[1]

Death

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On the night of 18 September 2010, Rivera was shot in the head after unknown gunmen attacked the car he was traveling in.[2] According to sources, Rivera was traveling with teammates Andrés Flores and Kevin Santamaria when they came under gunfire. The incident took place in El Congo, shortly after they had played a league match against UES.

A series of operations to try to remove the bullet were made, but Rivera died in an intensive care unit on the night of 3 October 2010.[3]

On 16 October 2010, the alleged killers were caught and charged with aggravated homicide. The Attorney General's Office confirmed through a press release the capture of Victor Manuel Colorado and Daniel Sanchez, both involved in the death of the young footballer.[4][needs update]

References

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  1. ^ Profile – El Gráfico (in Spanish)
  2. ^ "Salvadoran Soccer Champs Wounded in Shooting". Latin American Herald Tribune. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
  3. ^ "Nelson Rivera dies after being shot". ESPN. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
  4. ^ "FGR confirms arrest of suspected killers of Nelson Rivera". La Prensa Grafica. Retrieved 16 October 2010.