The severed head of a retired footballer was reportedly sent to his wife the day after he was murdered in Brazil.

Joao Rodrigo Silva Santos, who represented a number of lower league clubs in the country, is said to have been kidnapped as he left the food shop that he had been running since retiring in the district of Realengo.

According to Globo, his wife discovered her husband's head, which was contained in his backpack with his eyes and tongue carved out.

Local police are said to suspect local drug traffickers for the murder.