Tragedy in Turin as eight-year-old Torino academy player dies in car crash

Italian club Torino FC has announced the tragic death of eight-year-old academy player Ismael Pistis following a road accident on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026.

The club said it was “shocked and deeply saddened” after learning that the young footballer passed away after a crash on the A21 motorway in northern Italy.

The accident occurred around 5pm between the Felizzano and Asti Est toll booths on the route heading toward Turin.

According to Italian media reports, Ismael was riding on the back of a motorbike driven by his father when the vehicle was struck by a car in the fast lane.

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The impact caused the motorbike to crash into a roadside barrier. Ismael’s father survived the accident, while his mother was reportedly following behind them in a car as the family returned from a day trip.

In a heartfelt statement, Torino president Urbano Cairo and the entire club expressed their condolences to the boy’s family.

“Ismael was a young footballer in the Under-8 category. He was a happy child who never failed to smile, capable of spreading joy and lightheartedness to everyone every day,” the club said.

Torino described him as polite, respectful, and deeply passionate about the club he loved. His teammates, coaches, and club staff have all been left devastated by the loss.

Originally from Burkina Faso but raised in Turin, the young footballer had already become a beloved member of the club’s academy community.

Torino said Ismael’s passion for the club was so strong that he had even turned his bedroom into a tribute to the famous Curva Maratona stand, a reflection of the dreams he carried at just eight years old.

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