A young footballer who used to play for Manchester United died after feeling ‘isolated’, an inquest has heard.
Vinicius de Oliveira Cabral de Souza, known by family and friends as Vini, was found dead in his family home in Walkden in February.
Vini was born in Brazil, had an upbringing in Portugal, and played for Manchester United and Warrington Town in the UK.
Vini was dropped by Manchester United at the age of 14, and he was said to be ‘disappointed’, but the Brazilian continued to play football for another five years.
Vinicius de Oliveira Cabral de Souza recently played for Warrington Town FC
Instagram / Warringtontownfc
However, a Bolton Coroner’s court has heard that the 19-year-old quit football just months before his tragic death, as his sister, Mayara De Souza, noticed a “sudden mood change” in him.
It has been said that Vini never explained why he stopped playing football at Warrington Town, but he had told his sister that he had ‘let them down’, but she said that they were unsure why he felt this.
Vini suffered from acne, and he is said to have lost confidence and self-esteem when his steroid cream ran out.
When being denied another prescription of the cream, Vini turned to an alternative cream from India.
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Vinicius de Oliveira Cabral de Souza felt he had 'let down' his family, who were unsure why
Instagram / Warringtontownfc
Speaking of her brother, De Souza said: "He stopped doing the things that he liked to do such as football, going to the gym and seeing friends.
“He started apologising about the way he treated us and we didn't understand what he meant. His best friend as well, he said the same to him, and he said he doesn't know why."
She continued: "He said to my dad before he died, 'Am I going to be arrested for this?' And [my dad] said, ‘For what?'
"He said, ‘Because of the way that I am, I'm going to be arrested'. And there was an occasion where he saw a police car but it was for a neighbour. He thought it was for him."
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His sister is said to have booked psychotherapy sessions after she told him she thought he was depressed, but his reaction was to ‘laugh’ at her.
Vini did attend one of the sessions available, but refused any further help.
At this point, Vini had stopped going out with friends. He had previously admitted to his mother that he had tried drugs in a nightclub on one occasion, but his friends’ usage led to him feeling more ‘isolated’.
A toxicologist's report found no trace of drugs or alcohol in Vini's system when he died.
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Vinicius de Oliveira Cabral de Souza felt 'isolated' through his friends' drug usage
Instagram / Warringtontownfc
His family had booked Vini on a flight back to Brazil in April, however, he was sadly found dead in his bedroom in February, as police concluded he had died as a result of 'self-inflicted means by hanging'.
Assistant coroner Stephen Teesdale addressed Vini’s sister and father at the inquest, adding some level of comfort for the terrible incident: "There's nothing more you could have done. You did everything.
“You spotted the problem - depression. You made a plan, you sought professional assistance from a psychotherapist.
"You had a plan to take him to Brazil. There's nothing more you could have done. He had an entirely supportive family. It was to do with how he saw the world.”
Vini’s most recent club, Warrington Town, released a statement on the youngster: "Scorer of the most spectacular goals, Vini was a well-respected, much-loved member of the club, and his ability earned him a place training with the first team despite his young age.
"He played for the first team last season in the Cheshire Senior Cup against Cheadle Town, and trained regularly with the first team, appearing in numerous pre-season friendlies over the past couple of seasons."
Anyone who is in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide can call the Samaritans anonymously for free from a UK phone on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org.
