Former Man United Youth Player, 19, Dies by Suicide After Quitting Football

Vinicius de Oliveira Cabral de Souza, a 19-year-old former Manchester United academy player, was found dead in his bedroom in February after his family noticed a sudden and significant change in his mood. Despite being dropped by Manchester United at age 14, Vini continued to play football for five years with Warrington Town before abruptly quitting, without explaining why. His sister, Mayara De Souza, described how he stopped engaging in activities he once enjoyed, such as football, going to the gym, and socializing, and how he repeatedly apologized to family and friends, expressing feelings of having let them down, although the reasons remained unclear. Vini's self-esteem was reportedly affected by a resurgence of acne after running out of prescribed steroid cream, which he then bought online against medical advice. Although aware of possible depression, Vini declined further psychotherapeutic support after attending one session, and had booked a trip to Brazil shortly before his death. The coroner's inquest concluded that Vini died by self-inflicted means, with his family and friends left grappling to understand the circumstances behind his tragic passing.