Serie A sensation David Neres was the victim of a terrifying armed robbery following Napoli's nail-biting victory over Parma.
The 27-year-old Brazilian, who joined Napoli in the summer transfer window, played a crucial role in the team's dramatic win on Saturday. Romelu Lukaku's late equaliser in the 92nd minute set the stage for Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa to score a last-gasp winner in the 96th minute, with Neres providing the assist - his second of the season.
But the celebrations were cut short when, according to local reports, Neres was ambushed by two armed robbers who smashed the window of his black minibus and forced him at gunpoint to hand over his watch.
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Footage of the distressing aftermath has been making rounds on social media, showing a visibly distressed Neres being hurried to safety.
It is believed that as Neres exited his vehicle, he was confronted and threatened with a firearm, prompting him to relinquish his watch to the assailants who then made their escape. Neres was quickly escorted from the scene to safety, reports the Daily Star.
The incident took place as Neres and his wife were returning to their hotel. They later reported the robbery to the Italian authorities from the Grand Hotel Parker in Naples.
In an emotional Instagram story, Neres' spouse, Kira Winona, expressed regret on behalf of her husband to fans awaiting his appearance outside the hotel: "David would like to apologise to the fans who were waiting for him outside [the hotel]. As they were trying to leave the stadium after the match, two men on a motorcycle wrecked his car and robbed him at gunpoint."
The Brazilian footballer is still acclimatising to life in Southern Italy after his €28million (£23.5m) move from Benfica to Napoli earlier this summer.
