LUCKY ESCAPE
Brazilian star Jefferson has Range Rover CARJACKED by armed gang on the way to training
Botafago goalkeeper thrown out of his car by handgun-wielding thugs after they pull up alongside him
FORMER Brazil international Jefferson says he is lucky to be alive after an armed gang CARJACKED his Range Rover.
The goalkeeper had been on the way to training when a group of men in a car - wielding HANDGUNS - pulled up alongside him and forced him out of the car.
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The 34-year-old, capped 22 times for Brazil between 2011 and 2015, is seen kneeling on the pavement with his hands in the air.
The shock footage, captured on CCTV, then sees the three thugs speed off in Jefferson's Range Rover, abandoning their other car.
Jefferson was driving the 4x4 in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday morning.
According to local reports, police recovered the Range Rover during a raid late on Sunday night.
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The car was being stored in the Rio suburb of Fazedinha.
Jefferson wrote on social media: "I've sadly become another victim of the violence that ravages our city.
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"I was on my way to training with Botafogo when I was overpowered by armed men who intended to steal my car and my belongings.
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";God gave me the calmness to deal with the dangerous situation, and thanks to Him I did not suffer any violence."
The goalkeeper had a spell in Europe between 2005 and 2009 with Turkish sides Trabzonspor and Konyaspor.
Jefferson helped Brazil win the Confederations Cup in 2013.
He was on the No 2 for Brazil in the 2014 World Cup - sitting on the bench when Germany humiliated the Selecao 7-1 in the semi-final.
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