The ex-girlfriend of Manchester City star Kerolin Nicoli has suddenly died in a car accident in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Rafaela Del Bianchi, 27, was killed when she was thrown from a vehicle as it was overturned in a crash in Sao Paulo, according to reports from Brazil.
The women's footballer influencer had been returning from a nightclub with her friend, who was driving the vehicle, in the early hours of October 3,
Del Bianchi was a passenger in the car, with a statement from the Sao Paulo Public Security Department stating that she wasn't wearing a seatbelt when the car crashed on the Lix da Cunha Highway in Campinas.
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Manchester City forward Nicoli dated Del Bianchi between 2022 and 2023 and released a touching tribute on social media after news of the crash emerged online.
Posting on Instagram, she wrote: "It's blackkkk... The sky is partying right now!
"I love you and I'll love you forever, thank you for being a light in times when I needed it to be, thank you for be tough when I needed you to, thank you so much."
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The City star, who has made two appearances in the Women's Super League this season, paid tribute to her former partner in several ways, praising her for her relationship with her 11-year-old daughter called Julia.
"I am proud of you of the woman you are, the MOTHER you are, dreamer, fighter! You inspired me a lot," she added.
"Like we talked about and it will always be like this, I love you forever, FOREVER. And of your little cutie, now more than anything, she'll be ours, I'll take care of you and us. I love you for eternity. My angel!
"I don't understand God's plan but I will trust that He has the best things."
Rafaela had more than 23,000 followers on social media and often posted videos with Nicoli during their relationship.
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In another tribute sharing videos with the influencer, Nicoli added: "Even though we know that one day life will end, we are never prepared to lose someone.
"Today heaven gained a piece of what I loved most on Earth. It hurts to know that I can't hug you anymore, but I feel you in every silence, in every good memory.
"Nothing will erase what we live. Our love doesn't end here — it's just moved places."
Topics: Manchester City, Football
Ben McCrum